Analog world interfacing for automated systems

ABSTRACT

An automated system includes transducers, at least one computing device, and at least one automated apparatus. The transducer(s) is/are driven and sensed using drive-sense circuit(s). A drives and senses drive and sense a transducer via a single line, generates a digital signal representative of a sensed analog feature to which the transducer is exposed, and transmits the digital signal to the computing device. The computing device receives digital signals from at least some of drive-sense circuits and process them in accordance with the automation process to produce an automated process command. The automated apparatus executes a portion of an automated process based on the automated process command.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Technical Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to data communication systems and moreparticularly to sensed data collection and/or communication.

Description of Related Art

Sensors are used in a wide variety of applications ranging from in-homeautomation, to industrial systems, to health care, to transportation,and so on. For example, sensors are placed in bodies, automobiles,airplanes, boats, ships, trucks, motorcycles, cell phones, televisions,touch-screens, industrial plants, appliances, motors, checkout counters,etc. for the variety of applications.

In general, a sensor converts a physical quantity into an electrical oroptical signal. For example, a sensor converts a physical phenomenon,such as a biological condition, a chemical condition, an electriccondition, an electromagnetic condition, a temperature, a magneticcondition, mechanical motion (position, velocity, acceleration, force,pressure), an optical condition, and/or a radioactivity condition, intoan electrical signal.

A sensor includes a transducer, which functions to convert one form ofenergy (e.g., force) into another form of energy (e.g., electricalsignal). There are a variety of transducers to support the variousapplications of sensors. For example, a transducer is capacitor, apiezoelectric transducer, a piezoresistive transducer, a thermaltransducer, a thermal-couple, a photoconductive transducer such as aphotoresistor, a photodiode, and/or phototransistor.

A sensor circuit is coupled to a sensor to provide the sensor with powerand to receive the signal representing the physical phenomenon from thesensor. The sensor circuit includes at least three electricalconnections to the sensor: one for a power supply; another for a commonvoltage reference (e.g., ground); and a third for receiving the signalrepresenting the physical phenomenon. The signal representing thephysical phenomenon will vary from the power supply voltage to ground asthe physical phenomenon changes from one extreme to another (for therange of sensing the physical phenomenon).

The sensor circuits provide the received sensor signals to one or morecomputing devices for processing. A computing device is known tocommunicate data, process data, and/or store data. The computing devicemay be a cellular phone, a laptop, a tablet, a personal computer (PC), awork station, a video game device, a server, and/or a data center thatsupport millions of web searches, stock trades, or on-line purchasesevery hour.

The computing device processes the sensor signals for a variety ofapplications. For example, the computing device processes sensor signalsto determine temperatures of a variety of items in a refrigerated truckduring transit. As another example, the computing device processes thesensor signals to determine a touch on a touch screen. As yet anotherexample, the computing device processes the sensor signals to determinevarious data points in a production line of a product.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a communicationsystem in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a computingdevice in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a computingdevice in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a computingdevice in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5A is a schematic plot diagram of a computing subsystem inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5B is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing subsystem in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5C is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing subsystem in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5D is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing subsystem in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5E is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing subsystem in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of a drive center circuit inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a drivesense circuit in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an example of a power signal graph in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 8 is an example of a sensor graph in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of another example of a power signalgraph in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of another example of a powersignal graph in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram of another example of a powersignal graph in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 11A is a schematic block diagram of another example of a powersignal graph in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a power signalchange detection circuit in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of adrive-sense circuit in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 14A is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of acommunication system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 14B is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of acommunication system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 14C is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of acommunication system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 15A is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of acommunication system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 15B is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of acommunication system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 15C is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of acommunication system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 16A is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of acommunication system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 16B is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of acommunication system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 16C is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of acommunication system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 17A is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an assemblysystem in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 17B is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of componentsincluding rotating equipment in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a conveyor beltsystem in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a conveyor beltsystem in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 20A is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a personmonitoring system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 20B is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of acommunication system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a communicationsystem in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 22A is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of one or morecommunication systems within an automobile in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 22B is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of one or morecommunication systems within an aircraft in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 23A is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a drive-sensecircuit in communication with a transducer and a computing device inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 23B is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a drive-sensecircuit in communication with a transducer in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 24A is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a transducercircuitry in communication with one or more processing modules (and/orcomputing devices) in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 24B is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of implementationof a transducer circuitry in communication with processing circuitry inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 25A is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a transducercircuitry in communication with one or more processing modules (and/orcomputing devices) in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 25B is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a transducercircuitry in communication with one or more processing modules (and/orcomputing devices) in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 25C is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of acommunication system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 25D is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of acommunication system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 26 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an embodiment of amethod for execution by one or more devices in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 27 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an embodiment of amethod for execution by one or more devices in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 28 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a transducertesting system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 29 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of transduceroperation in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 30 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an embodiment of amethod for execution by one or more devices in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 31 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a transducerzone drive characterization system in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 32 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a drive signalidentification system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 33 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an embodiment of amethod for execution by one or more devices in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 34 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an opticaldevice operating as both a source and a detector in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 35 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of drive signalsin accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 36 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an opticaldevice operating as both a source and a detector in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 37A is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an opticaldevice operating as both a source and a detector in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 37B is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of opticaldevices operating as sources and detectors in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 37C is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of opticaldevices operating as sources and detectors in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 37D is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of opticaldevices operating as sources and detectors in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 37E is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of opticaldevices operating as sources and detectors in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 38A is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a type ofoptical device in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 38B is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a type ofoptical device in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 38C is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a type ofoptical device in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 39A is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a fingerprintsensor in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 39B is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a handprintsensor in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 40A is a schematic block diagram illustrating an embodiment of amethod for execution by one or more devices in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 40B is a schematic block diagram illustrating an embodiment of amethod for execution by one or more devices in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 41 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an embodiment of adisplay simultaneously operating as a camera in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 42 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an embodiment of adisplay simultaneously operating as a camera in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 43A is a schematic block diagram illustrating an embodiment of amethod for execution by one or more devices in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 43B is a schematic block diagram illustrating an embodiment of amethod for execution by one or more devices in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 44 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an acousticdevice operating as both a source and a detector in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 45 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an acousticdevice operating as both a source and a detector in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 46A is a schematic block diagram illustrating an embodiment of amethod for execution by one or more devices in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 46B is a schematic block diagram illustrating an embodiment of amethod for execution by one or more devices in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 47 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an acousticdevice operating as both a source and a detector in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 48 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of anelectromagnetic wave device operating as both a source and a detector inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 49 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of anelectromagnetic wave device operating as both a source and a detector inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 50A is a schematic block diagram illustrating an embodiment of amethod for execution by one or more devices in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 50B is a schematic block diagram illustrating an embodiment of amethod for execution by one or more devices in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 51 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a radiofrequency (RF) device operating as both a source and a detector inaccordance with the present invention:

FIG. 52 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an input/output(I/O) device operating as both a source and a detector in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 53 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an input/output(I/O) device operating as both a source and a detector in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 54A is a schematic block diagram illustrating an embodiment of amethod for execution by one or more devices in accordance with thepresent invention; and

FIG. 54B is a schematic block diagram illustrating an embodiment of amethod for execution by one or more devices in accordance with thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a communicationsystem 10 that includes a plurality of computing, devices 12-10, one ormore servers 22, one or more databases 24, one or more networks 26, aplurality of drive-sense circuits 28, a plurality of sensors 30, and aplurality of actuators 32. Computing devices 14 include a touch screen16 with sensors and drive-sensor circuits and computing devices 18include a touch & tactic screen 20 that includes sensors, actuators, anddrive-sense circuits.

A sensor 30 functions to convert a physical input into an electricaloutput and/or an optical output. The physical input of a sensor may beone of a variety of physical input conditions. For example, the physicalcondition includes one or more of, but is not limited to, acoustic waves(e.g., amplitude, phase, polarization, spectrum, and/or wave velocity);a biological and/or chemical condition (e.g., fluid concentration,level, composition, etc.), an electric condition (e.g., charge, voltage,current, conductivity, permittivity, eclectic field, which includesamplitude, phase, and/or polarization); a magnetic condition (e.g.,flux, permeability, magnetic field, which amplitude, phase, and/orpolarization); an optical condition (e.g., refractive index,reflectivity, absorption, etc.); a thermal condition (e.g., temperature,flux, specific heat, thermal conductivity, etc.); and a mechanicalcondition (e.g., position, velocity, acceleration, force, strain,stress, pressure, torque, etc.). For example, piezoelectric sensorconverts force or pressure into an eclectic signal. As another example,a microphone converts audible acoustic waves into electrical signals.

There are a variety of types of sensors to sense the various types ofphysical conditions. Sensor types include, but are not limited to,capacitor sensors, inductive sensors, accelerometers, piezoelectricsensors, light sensors, magnetic field sensors, ultrasonic sensors,temperature sensors, infrared (IR) sensors, touch sensors, proximitysensors, pressure sensors, level sensors, smoke sensors, and gassensors. In many ways, sensors function as the interface between thephysical world and the digital world by converting real world conditionsinto digital signals that are then processed by computing devices for avast number of applications including, but not limited to, medicalapplications, production automation applications, home environmentcontrol, public safety, and so on.

The various types of sensors have a variety of sensor characteristicsthat are factors in providing power to the sensors, receiving signalsfrom the sensors, and/or interpreting the signals from the sensors. Thesensor characteristics include resistance, reactance, powerrequirements, sensitivity, range, stability, repeatability, linearity,error, response time, and/or frequency response. For example, theresistance, reactance, and/or power requirements are factors indetermining drive circuit requirements. As another example, sensitivity,stability, and/or linear are factors for interpreting the measure of thephysical condition based on the received electrical and/or opticalsignal (e.g., measure of temperature, pressure, etc.).

An actuator 32 converts an electrical input into a physical output. Thephysical output of an actuator may be one of a variety of physicaloutput conditions. For example, the physical output condition includesone or more of, but is not limited to, acoustic waves (e.g., amplitude,phase, polarization, spectrum, and/or wave velocity); a magneticcondition (e.g., flux, permeability, magnetic field, which amplitude,phase, and/or polarization); a thermal condition (e.g., temperature,flux, specific heat, thermal conductivity, etc.); and a mechanicalcondition (e.g., position, velocity, acceleration, force, strain,stress, pressure, torque, etc.). As an example, a piezoelectric actuatorconverts voltage into force or pressure. As another example, a speakerconverts electrical signals into audible acoustic waves.

An actuator 32 may be one of a variety of actuators. For example, anactuator 32 is one of a comb drive, a digital micro-mirror device, anelectric motor, an electroactive polymer, a hydraulic cylinder, apiezoelectric actuator, a pneumatic actuator, a screw jack, aservomechanism, a solenoid, a stepper motor, a shape-memory allow, athermal bimorph, and a hydraulic actuator.

The various types of actuators have a variety of actuatorscharacteristics that are factors in providing power to the actuator andsending signals to the actuators for desired performance. The actuatorcharacteristics include resistance, reactance, power requirements,sensitivity, range, stability, repeatability, linearity, error, responsetime, and/or frequency response. For example, the resistance, reactance,and power requirements are factors in determining drive circuitrequirements. As another example, sensitivity, stability, and/or linearare factors for generating the signaling to send to the actuator toobtain the desired physical output condition.

The computing devices 12, 14, and 18 may each be a portable computingdevice and/or a fixed computing device. A portable computing device maybe a social networking device, a gaming device, a cell phone, a smartphone, a digital assistant, a digital music player, a digital videoplayer, a laptop computer, a handheld computer, a tablet, a video gamecontroller, and/or any other portable device that includes a computingcore. A fixed computing device may be a computer (PC), a computerserver, a cable set-top box, a satellite receiver, a television set, aprinter, a fax machine, home entertainment equipment, a video gameconsole, and/or any type of home or office computing equipment. Thecomputing devices 12, 14, and 18 will be discussed in greater detailwith reference to one or more of FIGS. 2-4.

A server 22 is a special type of computing device that is optimized forprocessing large amounts of data requests in parallel. A server 22includes similar components to that of the computing devices 12, 14,and/or 18 with more robust processing modules, more main memory, and/ormore hard drive memory (e.g., solid state, hard drives, etc.). Further,a server 22 is typically accessed remotely, as such it does notgenerally include user input devices and/or user output devices. Inaddition, a server may be a standalone separate computing device and/ormay be a cloud computing device.

A database 24 is a special type of computing device that is optimizedfor large scale data storage and retrieval. A database 24 includessimilar components to that of the computing devices 12, 14, and/or 18with more hard drive memory (e.g., solid state, hard drives, etc.) andpotentially with more processing modules and/or main memory. Further, adatabase 24 is typically accessed remotely; as such it does notgenerally include user input devices and/or user output devices. Inaddition, a database 24 may be a standalone separate computing deviceand/or may be a cloud computing device.

The network 26 includes one more local area networks (LAN) and/or one ormore wide area networks WAN), which may be a public network and/or aprivate network. A LAN may be a wireless-LAN (e.g., Wi-Fi access point,Bluetooth, ZigBee, etc.) and/or a wired network (e.g., Firewire,Ethernet, etc.). A WAN may be a wired and/or wireless WAN. For example,a LAN may be a personal home or business's wireless network and a WAN isthe Internet, cellular telephone infrastructure, and/or satellitecommunication infrastructure.

In an example of operation, computing device 12-1 communicates with aplurality of drive-sense circuits 28, which, in turn, communicate with aplurality of sensors 30. The sensors 30 and/or the drive-sense circuits28 are within the computing device 12-1 and/or external to it. Forexample, the sensors 30 may be external to the computing device 12-1 andthe drive-sense circuits are within the computing device 12-1. Asanother example, both the sensors 30 and the drive-sense circuits 28 areexternal to the computing device 12-1. When the drive-sense circuits 28are external to the computing device, they are coupled to the computingdevice 12-1 via wired and/or wireless communication links as will bediscussed in greater detail with reference to one or more of FIGS.5A-5C.

The computing device 12-1 communicates with the drive-sense circuits 28to; (a) turn them on, (b) obtain data from the sensors (individuallyand/or collectively), (c) instruct the drive sense circuit on how tocommunicate the sensed data to the computing device 12-1, (d) providesignaling attributes (e.g., DC level, AC level, frequency, power level,regulated current signal, regulated voltage signal, regulation of animpedance, frequency patterns for various sensors, different frequenciesfor different sensing applications, etc.) to use with the sensors,and/or (e) provide other commands and/or instructions.

As a specific example, the sensors 30 are distributed along a pipelineto measure flow rate and/or pressure within a section of the pipeline.The drive-sense circuits 28 have their own power source (e.g., battery,power supply, etc.) and are proximally located to their respectivesensors 30. At desired time intervals (milliseconds, seconds, minutes,hours, etc.), the drive-sense circuits 28 provide a regulated sourcesignal or a power signal to the sensors 30. An electrical characteristicof the sensor 30 affects the regulated source signal or power signal,which is reflective of the condition (e.g., the flow rate and/or thepressure) that sensor is sensing.

The drive-sense circuits 28 detect the effects on the regulated sourcesignal or power signals as a result of the electrical characteristics ofthe sensors. The drive-sense circuits 28 then generate signalsrepresentative of change to the regulated source signal or power signalbased on the detected effects on the power signals. The changes to theregulated source signals or power signals are representative of theconditions being sensed by the sensors 30.

The drive-sense circuits 28 provide the representative signals of theconditions to the computing device 12-1. A representative signal may bean analog signal or a digital signal. In either case, the computingdevice 12-1 interprets the representative signals to determine thepressure and/or flow rate at each sensor location along the pipeline.The computing device may then provide this information to the server 22,the database 24, and/or to another computing device for storing and/orfurther processing.

As another example of operation, computing device 12-2 is coupled to adrive-sense circuit 28, which is, in turn, coupled to a sensor 30. Thesensor 30 and/or the drive-sense circuit 28 may be internal and/orexternal to the computing device 12-2. In this example, the sensor 30 issensing a condition that is particular to the computing device 12-2. Forexample, the sensor 30 may be a temperature sensor, an ambient lightsensor, an ambient noise sensor, etc. As described above, wheninstructed by the computing device 12-2 (which may be a default settingfor continuous sensing or at regular intervals), the drive-sense circuit28 provides the regulated source signal or power signal to the sensor 30and detects an effect to the regulated source signal or power signalbased on an electrical characteristic of the sensor. The drive-sensecircuit generates a representative signal of the affect and sends it tothe computing device 12-2.

In another example of operation, computing device 12-3 is coupled to aplurality of drive-sense circuits 28 that are coupled to a plurality ofsensors 30 and is coupled to a plurality of drive-sense circuits 28 thatare coupled to a plurality of actuators 32. The generally functionalityof the drive-sense circuits 28 coupled to the sensors 30 in accordancewith the above description.

Since an actuator 32 is essentially an inverse of a sensor in that anactuator converts an electrical signal into a physical condition, whilea sensor converts a physical condition into an electrical signal, thedrive-sense circuits 28 can be used to power actuators 32. Thus, in thisexample, the computing device 12-3 provides actuation signals to thedrive-sense circuits 28 for the actuators 32. The drive-sense circuitsmodulate the actuation signals on to power signals or regulated controlsignals, which are provided to the actuators 32. The actuators 32 arepowered from the power signals or regulated control signals and producethe desired physical condition from the modulated actuation signals.

As another example of operation, computing device 12-x is coupled to adrive-sense circuit 28 that is coupled to a sensor 30 and is coupled toa drive-sense circuit 28 that is coupled to an actuator 32. In thisexample, the sensor 30 and the actuator 32 are for use by the computingdevice 12-x. For example, the sensor 30 may be a piezoelectricmicrophone and the actuator 32 may be a piezoelectric speaker.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a computingdevice 12 (e.g., any one of 12-l through 12-x). The computing device 12includes a core control module 40, one or more processing modules 42,one or more main memories 44, cache memory 46, a video graphicsprocessing module 48, a display 50, an Input-Output (I/O) peripheralcontrol module 52, one or more input interface modules 56, one or moreoutput interface modules 58, one or more network interface modules 60,and one or more memory interface modules 62. A processing module 42 isdescribed in greater detail at the end of the detailed description ofthe invention section and, in an alternative embodiment, has a directionconnection to the main memory 44. In an alternate embodiment, the corecontrol module 40 and the I/O and/or peripheral control module 52 areone module, such as a chipset, a quick path interconnect (QPI), and/oran ultra-path interconnect (UPI).

Each of the main memories 44 includes one or more Random Access Memory(RAM) integrated circuits, or chips. For example, a main memory 44includes four DDR4 (4^(th) generation of double data rate) RAM chips,each running at a rate of 2,400 MHz. In general, the main memory 44stores data and operational instructions most relevant for theprocessing module 42. For example, the core control module 40coordinates the transfer of data and/or operational instructions fromthe main memory 44 and the memory 64-66. The data and/or operationalinstructions retrieve from memory 64-66 are the data and/or operationalinstructions requested by the processing module or will most likely beneeded by the processing module. When the processing module is done withthe data and/or operational instructions in main memory, the corecontrol module 40 coordinates sending updated data to the memory 64-66for storage.

The memory 64-66 includes one or more hard drives, one or more solidstate memory chips, and/or one or more other large capacity storagedevices that, in comparison to cache memory and main memory devices,is/are relatively inexpensive with respect to cost per amount of datastored. The memory 64-66 is coupled to the core control module 40 viathe I/O and/or peripheral control module 52 and via one or more memoryinterface modules 62. In an embodiment, the I/O and/or peripheralcontrol module 52 includes one or more Peripheral Component Interface(PCI) buses to which peripheral components connect to the core controlmodule 40. A memory interface module 62 includes a software driver and ahardware connector for coupling a memory device to the I/O and/orperipheral control module 52. For example, a memory interface 62 is inaccordance with a Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) port.

The core control module 40 coordinates data communications between theprocessing module(s) 42 and the network(s) 26 via the I/O and/orperipheral control module 52, the network interface module(s) 60, and anetwork card 68 or 70. A network card 68 or 70 includes a wirelesscommunication unit or a wired communication unit. A wirelesscommunication unit includes a wireless local area network (WLAN)communication device, a cellular communication device, a Bluetoothdevice, and/or a ZigBee communication device. A wired communication unitincludes a Gigabit LAN connection, a Firewire connection, and/or aproprietary computer wired connection. A network interface module 60includes a software driver and a hardware connector for coupling thenetwork card to the I/O and/or peripheral control module 52. Forexample, the network interface module 60 is in accordance with one ormore versions of IEEE 802.11, cellular telephone protocols, 10/100/1000Gigabit LAN protocols, etc.

The core control module 40 coordinates data communications between theprocessing module(s) 42 and input device(s) 72 via the input interfacemodule(s) 56 and the I/O and/or peripheral control module 52. An inputdevice 72 includes a keypad, a keyboard, control switches, a touchpad, amicrophone, a camera, etc. An input interface module 56 includes asoftware driver and a hardware connector for coupling an input device tothe I/O and/or peripheral control module 52. In an embodiment, an inputinterface module 56 is in accordance with one or more Universal SerialBus (USB) protocols.

The core control module 40 coordinates data communications between theprocessing module(s) 42 and output device(s) 74 via the output interfacemodule(s) 58 and the I/O and/or peripheral control module 52. An outputdevice 74 includes a speaker, etc. An output interface module 58includes a software driver and a hardware connector for coupling anoutput device to the I/O and/or peripheral control module 52. In anembodiment, an output interface module 56 is in accordance with one ormore audio codec protocols.

The processing module 42 communicates directly with a video graphicsprocessing module 48 to display data on the display 50. The display 50includes an LED (light emitting diode) display, an LCD (liquid crystaldisplay), and/or other type of display technology. The display has aresolution, an aspect ratio, and other features that affect the qualityof the display. The video graphics processing module 48 receives datafrom the processing module 42, processes the data to produce rendereddata in accordance with the characteristics of the display, and providesthe rendered data to the display 50.

FIG. 2 further illustrates sensors 30 and actuators 32 coupled todrive-sense circuits 28, which are coupled to the input interface module56 (e.g., USB port). Alternatively, one or more of the drive-sensecircuits 28 is coupled to the computing device via a wireless networkcard (e.g., WLAN) or a wired network card (e.g., Gigabit LAN). While notshown, the computing device 12 further includes a BIOS (Basic InputOutput System) memory coupled to the core control module 40.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a computingdevice 14 that includes a core control module 40, one or more processingmodules 42, one or more main memories 44, cache memory 46, a videographics processing module 48, a touch screen 16, an Input-Output (I/O)peripheral control module 52, one or more input interface modules 56,one or more output interface modules 58, one or more network interfacemodules 60, and one or more memory interface modules 62. The touchscreen 16 includes a touch screen display 80, a plurality of sensors 30,a plurality of drive-sense circuits (DSC), and a touch screen processingmodule 82.

Computing device 14 operates similarly to computing device 12 of FIG. 2with the addition of a touch screen as an input device. The touch screenincludes a plurality of sensors (e.g., electrodes, capacitor sensingcells, capacitor sensors, inductive sensor, etc.) to detect a proximaltouch of the screen. For example, when one or more fingers touches thescreen, capacitance of sensors proximal to the touch(es) are affected(e.g., impedance changes). The drive-sense circuits (DSC) coupled to theaffected sensors detect the change and provide a representation of thechange to the touch screen processing module 82, which may be a separateprocessing module or integrated into the processing module 42.

The touch screen processing module 82 processes the representativesignals from the drive-sense circuits (DSC) to determine the location ofthe touch(es). This information is inputted to the processing module 42for processing as an input. For example, a touch represents a selectionof a button on screen, a scroll function, a zoom in-out function, etc.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a computingdevice 18 that includes a core control module 40, one or more processingmodules 42, one or more main memories 44, cache memory 46, a videographics processing module 48, a touch and tactile screen 20, anInput-Output (I/O) peripheral control module 52, one or more inputinterface modules 56, one or more output interface modules 58, one ormore network interface modules 60, and one or more memory interfacemodules 62. The touch and tactile screen 20 includes a touch and tactilescreen display 90, a plurality of sensors 30, a plurality of actuators32, a plurality of drive-sense circuits (DSC), a touch screen processingmodule 82, and a tactile screen processing module 92.

Computing device 18 operates similarly to computing device 14 of FIG. 3with the addition of a tactile aspect to the screen 20 as an outputdevice. The tactile portion of the screen 20 includes the plurality ofactuators (e.g., piezoelectric transducers to create vibrations,solenoids to create movement, etc.) to provide a tactile feel to thescreen 20. To do so, the processing module creates tactile data, whichis provided to the appropriate drive-sense circuits (DSC) via thetactile screen processing module 92, which may be a stand-aloneprocessing module or integrated into processing module 42. Thedrive-sense circuits (DSC) convert the tactile data into drive-actuatesignals and provide them to the appropriate actuators to create thedesired tactile feel on the screen 20.

FIG. 5A is a schematic plot diagram of a computing subsystem 25 thatincludes a sensed data processing module 65, a plurality ofcommunication modules 61A-x, a plurality of processing modules 42A-x, aplurality of drive sense circuits 28, and a plurality of sensors 1-x,which may be sensors 30 of FIG. 1. The sensed data processing module 65is one or more processing modules within one or more servers 22 and/orone more processing modules in one or more computing devices that aredifferent than the computing devices in which processing modules 42A-xreside.

A drive-sense circuit 28 (or multiple drive-sense circuits), aprocessing module (e.g., 41A), and a communication module (e.g., 61A)are within a common computing device. Each grouping of a drive-sensecircuit(s), processing module, and communication module is in a separatecomputing device. A communication module 61A-x is constructed inaccordance with one or more wired communication protocol and/or one ormore wireless communication protocols that is/are in accordance with theone or more of the Open System Interconnection (OSI) model, theTransmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) model, andother communication protocol module.

In an example of operation, a processing module (e.g., 42A) provides acontrol signal to its corresponding drive-sense circuit 28. Theprocessing module 42 A may generate the control signal, receive it fromthe sensed data processing module 65, or receive an indication from thesensed data processing module 65 to generate the control signal. Thecontrol signal enables the drive-sense circuit 28 to provide a drivesignal to its corresponding sensor. The control signal may furtherinclude a reference signal having one or more frequency components tofacilitate creation of the drive signal and/or interpreting a sensedsignal received from the sensor.

Based on the control signal, the drive-sense circuit 28 provides thedrive signal to its corresponding sensor (e.g., 1) on a drive & senseline. While receiving the drive signal (e.g., a power signal, aregulated source signal, etc.), the sensor senses a physical condition1-x (e.g., acoustic waves, a biological condition, a chemical condition,an electric condition, a magnetic condition, an optical condition, athermal condition, and/or a mechanical condition). As a result of thephysical condition, an electrical characteristic (e.g., impedance,voltage, current, capacitance, inductance, resistance, reactance, etc.)of the sensor changes, which affects the drive signal. Note that if thesensor is an optical sensor, it converts a sensed optical condition intoan electrical characteristic.

The drive-sense circuit 28 detects the effect on the drive signal viathe drive & sense line and processes the affect to produce a signalrepresentative of power change, which may be an analog or digitalsignal. The processing module 42A receives the signal representative ofpower change, interprets it, and generates a value representing thesensed physical condition. For example, if the sensor is sensingpressure, the value representing the sensed physical condition is ameasure of pressure (e.g., x PSI (pounds per square inch)).

In accordance with a sensed data process function (e.g., algorithm,application, etc.), the sensed data processing module 65 gathers thevalues representing the sensed physical conditions from the processingmodules. Since the sensors 1-x may be the same type of sensor (e.g., apressure sensor), may each be different sensors, or a combinationthereof; the sensed physical conditions may be the same, may each bedifferent, or a combination thereof. The sensed data processing module65 processes the gathered values to produce one or more desired results.For example, if the computing subsystem 25 is monitoring pressure alonga pipeline, the processing of the gathered values indicates that thepressures are all within normal limits or that one or more of the sensedpressures is not within normal limits.

As another example, if the computing subsystem 25 is used in amanufacturing facility, the sensors are sensing a variety of physicalconditions, such as acoustic waves (e.g., for sound proofing, soundgeneration, ultrasound monitoring, etc.), a biological condition (e.g.,a bacterial contamination, etc.) a chemical condition (e.g.,composition, gas concentration, etc.), an electric condition (e.g.,current levels, voltage levels, electro-magnetic interference, etc.), amagnetic condition (e.g., induced current, magnetic field strength,magnetic field orientation, etc.), an optical condition (e.g., ambientlight, infrared, etc.), a thermal condition (e.g., temperature, etc.),and/or a mechanical condition (e.g., physical position, force, pressure,acceleration, etc.).

The computing subsystem 25 may further include one or more actuators inplace of one or more of the sensors and/or in addition to the sensors.When the computing subsystem 25 includes an actuator, the correspondingprocessing module provides an actuation control signal to thecorresponding drive-sense circuit 28. The actuation control signalenables the drive-sense circuit 28 to provide a drive signal to theactuator via a drive & actuate line (e.g., similar to the drive & senseline, but for the actuator). The drive signal includes one or morefrequency components and/or amplitude components to facilitate a desiredactuation of the actuator.

In addition, the computing subsystem 25 may include an actuator andsensor working in concert. For example, the sensor is sensing thephysical condition of the actuator. In this example, a drive-sensecircuit provides a drive signal to the actuator and another drive sensesignal provides the same drive signal, or a scaled version of it, to thesensor. This allows the sensor to provide near immediate and continuoussensing of the actuator's physical condition. This further allows forthe sensor to operate at a first frequency and the actuator to operateat a second frequency.

In an embodiment, the computing subsystem is a stand-alone system for awide variety of applications (e.g., manufacturing, pipelines, testing,monitoring, security, etc.). In another embodiment, the computingsubsystem 25 is one subsystem of a plurality of subsystems forming alarger system. For example, different subsystems are employed based ongeographic location. As a specific example, the computing subsystem 25is deployed in one section of a factory and another computing subsystemis deployed in another part of the factory. As another example,different subsystems are employed based function of the subsystems. As aspecific example, one subsystem monitors a city's traffic lightoperation and another subsystem monitors the city's sewage treatmentplants.

Regardless of the use and/or deployment of the computing system, thephysical conditions it is sensing, and/or the physical conditions it isactuating, each sensor and each actuator (if included) is driven andsensed by a single line as opposed to separate drive and sense lines.This provides many advantages including, but not limited to, lower powerrequirements, better ability to drive high impedance sensors, lower lineto line interference, and/or concurrent sensing functions.

FIG. 5B is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing subsystem 25 that includes a sensed data processing module 65,a communication module 61, a plurality of processing modules 42A-x, aplurality of drive sense circuits 28, and a plurality of sensors 1-x,which may be sensors 30 of FIG. 1. The sensed data processing module 65is one or more processing modules within one or more servers 22 and/orone more processing modules in one or more computing devices that aredifferent than the computing device, devices, in which processingmodules 42A-x reside.

In an embodiment, the drive-sense circuits 28, the processing modules,and the communication module are within a common computing device. Forexample, the computing device includes a central processing unit thatincludes a plurality of processing modules. The functionality andoperation of the sensed data processing module 65, the communicationmodule 61, the processing modules 42A-x, the drive sense circuits 28,and the sensors 1-x are as discussed with reference to FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5C is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing subsystem 25 that includes a sensed data processing module 65,a communication module 61, a processing module 42, a plurality of drivesense circuits 28, and a plurality of sensors 1-x, which may be sensors30 of FIG. 1. The sensed data processing module 65 is one or moreprocessing modules within one or more servers 22 and/or one moreprocessing modules in one or more computing devices that are differentthan the computing device in which the processing module 42 resides.

In an embodiment, the drive-sense circuits 28, the processing module,and the communication module are within a common computing device. Thefunctionality and operation of the sensed data processing module 65, thecommunication module 61, the processing module 42, the drive sensecircuits 28, and the sensors 1-x are as discussed with reference to FIG.5A.

FIG. 5D is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing subsystem 25 that includes a processing module 42, a referencesignal circuit 100, a plurality of drive sense circuits 28, and aplurality of sensors 30. The processing module 42 includes a drive-senseprocessing block 104, a drive-sense control block 102, and a referencecontrol block 106. Each block 102-106 of the processing module 42 may beimplemented via separate modules of the processing module, may be acombination of software and hardware within the processing module,and/or may be field programmable modules within the processing module42.

In an example of operation, the drive-sense control block 104 generatesone or more control signals to activate one or more of the drive-sensecircuits 28. For example, the drive-sense control block 102 generates acontrol signal that enables of the drive-sense circuits 28 for a givenperiod of time (e.g., 1 second, 1 minute, etc.). As another example, thedrive-sense control block 102 generates control signals to sequentiallyenable the drive-sense circuits 28. As yet another example, thedrive-sense control block 102 generates a series of control signals toperiodically enable the drive-sense circuits 28 (e.g., enabled onceevery second, every minute, every hour, etc.).

Continuing with the example of operation, the reference control block106 generates a reference control signal that it provides to thereference signal circuit 100. The reference signal circuit 100generates, in accordance with the control signal, one or more referencesignals for the drive-sense circuits 28. For example, the control signalis an enable signal, which, in response, the reference signal circuit100 generates a pre-programmed reference signal that it provides to thedrive-sense circuits 28. In another example, the reference signalcircuit 100 generates a unique reference signal for each of thedrive-sense circuits 28. In yet another example, the reference signalcircuit 100 generates a first unique reference signal for each of thedrive-sense circuits 28 in a first group and generates a second uniquereference signal for each of the drive-sense circuits 28 in a secondgroup.

The reference signal circuit 100 may be implemented in a variety ofways. For example, the reference signal circuit 100 includes a DC(direct current) voltage generator, an AC voltage generator, and avoltage combining circuit. The DC voltage generator generates a DCvoltage at a first level and the AC voltage generator generates an ACvoltage at a second level, which is less than or equal to the firstlevel. The voltage combining circuit combines the DC and AC voltages toproduce the reference signal. As examples, the reference signal circuit100 generates a reference signal similar to the signals shown in FIG. 7,which will be subsequently discussed.

As another example, the reference signal circuit 100 includes a DCcurrent generator, an AC current generator, and a current combiningcircuit. The DC current generator generates a DC current a first currentlevel and the AC current generator generates an AC current at a secondcurrent level, which is less than or equal to the first current level.The current combining circuit combines the DC and AC currents to producethe reference signal.

Returning to the example of operation, the reference signal circuit 100provides the reference signal, or signals, to the drive-sense circuits28. When a drive-sense circuit 28 is enabled via a control signal fromthe drive sense control block 102, it provides a drive signal to itscorresponding sensor 30. As a result of a physical condition, anelectrical characteristic of the sensor is changed, which affects thedrive signal. Based on the detected effect on the drive signal and thereference signal, the drive-sense circuit 28 generates a signalrepresentative of the effect on the drive signal.

The drive-sense circuit provides the signal representative of the effecton the drive signal to the drive-sense processing block 104. Thedrive-sense processing block 104 processes the representative signal toproduce a sensed value 97 of the physical condition (e.g., a digitalvalue that represents a specific temperature, a specific pressure level,etc.). The processing module 42 provides the sensed value 97 to anotherapplication running on the computing device, to another computingdevice, and/or to a server 22.

FIG. 5E is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing subsystem 25 that includes a processing module 42, a pluralityof drive sense circuits 28, and a plurality of sensors 30. Thisembodiment is similar to the embodiment of FIG. 5D with thefunctionality of the drive-sense processing block 104, a drive-sensecontrol block 102, and a reference control block 106 shown in greaterdetail. For instance, the drive-sense control block 102 includesindividual enable/disable blocks 102-1 through 102-y. An enable/disableblock functions to enable or disable a corresponding drive-sense circuitin a manner as discussed above with reference to FIG. 5D.

The drive-sense processing block 104 includes variance determiningmodules 104-1 a through y and variance interpreting modules 104-2 athrough y. For example, variance determining module 104-1 a receives,from the corresponding drive-sense circuit 28, a signal representativeof a physical condition sensed by a sensor. The variance determiningmodule 104-la functions to determine a difference from the signalrepresenting the sensed physical condition with a signal representing aknown, or reference, physical condition. The variance interpretingmodule 104-1 b interprets the difference to determine a specific valuefor the sensed physical condition.

As a specific example, the variance determining module 104-1 a receivesa digital signal of 1001 0110 (150 in decimal) that is representative ofa sensed physical condition (e.g., temperature) sensed by a sensor fromthe corresponding drive-sense circuit 28. With 8-bits, there are 2⁸(256) possible signals representing the sensed physical condition.Assume that the units for temperature is Celsius and a digital value of0100 0000 (64 in decimal) represents the known value for 25 degreeCelsius. The variance determining module 104-b 1 determines thedifference between the digital signal representing the sensed value(e.g., 1001 0110, 150 in decimal) and the known signal value of (e.g.,0100 0000, 64 in decimal), which is 0011 0000 (86 in decimal). Thevariance determining module 104-b 1 then determines the sensed valuebased on the difference and the known value. In this example, the sensedvalue equals 25+86*(100/256)=25+33.6=58.6 degrees Celsius.

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of a drive center circuit 28-acoupled to a sensor 30. The drive sense-sense circuit 28 includes apower source circuit 110 and a power signal change detection circuit112. The sensor 30 includes one or more transducers that have varyingelectrical characteristics (e.g., capacitance, inductance, impedance,current, voltage, etc.) based on varying physical conditions 114 (e.g.,pressure, temperature, biological, chemical, etc.), or vice versa (e.g.,an actuator).

The power source circuit 110 is operably coupled to the sensor 30 and,when enabled (e.g., from a control signal from the processing module 42,power is applied, a switch is closed, a reference signal is received,etc.) provides a power signal 116 to the sensor 30. The power sourcecircuit 110 may be a voltage supply circuit (e.g., a battery, a linearregulator, an unregulated DC-to-DC converter, etc.) to produce avoltage-based power signal, a current supply circuit (e.g., a currentsource circuit, a current mirror circuit, etc.) to produce acurrent-based power signal, or a circuit that provide a desired powerlevel to the sensor and substantially matches impedance of the sensor.The power source circuit 110 generates the power signal 116 to include aDC (direct current) component and/or an oscillating component.

When receiving the power signal 116 and when exposed to a condition 114,an electrical characteristic of the sensor affects 118 the power signal.When the power signal change detection circuit 112 is enabled, itdetects the affect 118 on the power signal as a result of the electricalcharacteristic of the sensor. For example, the power signal is a 1.5voltage signal and, under a first condition, the sensor draws 1 milliampof current, which corresponds to an impedance of 1.5 K Ohms. Under asecond conditions, the power signal remains at 1.5 volts and the currentincreases to 1.5 milliamps. As such, from condition 1 to condition 2,the impedance of the sensor changed from 1.5 K Ohms to 1 K Ohms. Thepower signal change detection circuit 112 determines this change andgenerates a representative signal 120 of the change to the power signal.

As another example, the power signal is a 1.5 voltage signal and, undera first condition, the sensor draws 1 milliamp of current, whichcorresponds to an impedance of 1.5 K Ohms. Under a second conditions,the power signal drops to 1.3 volts and the current increases to 1.3milliamps. As such, from condition 1 to condition 2, the impedance ofthe sensor changed from 1.5 K Ohms to 1 K Ohms. The power signal changedetection circuit 112 determines this change and generates arepresentative signal 120 of the change to the power signal.

The power signal 116 includes a DC component 122 and/or an oscillatingcomponent 124 as shown in FIG. 7. The oscillating component 124 includesa sinusoidal signal, a square wave signal, a triangular wave signal, amultiple level signal (e.g., has varying magnitude over time withrespect to the DC component), and/or a polygonal signal (e.g., has asymmetrical or asymmetrical polygonal shape with respect to the DCcomponent). Note that the power signal is shown without affect from thesensor as the result of a condition or changing condition.

In an embodiment, power generating circuit 110 varies frequency of theoscillating component 124 of the power signal 116 so that it can betuned to the impedance of the sensor and/or to be off-set in frequencyfrom other power signals in a system. For example, a capacitancesensor's impedance decreases with frequency. As such, if the frequencyof the oscillating component is too high with respect to thecapacitance, the capacitor looks like a short and variances incapacitances will be missed. Similarly, if the frequency of theoscillating component is too low with respect to the capacitance, thecapacitor looks like an open and variances in capacitances will bemissed.

In an embodiment, the power generating circuit 110 varies magnitude ofthe DC component 122 and/or the oscillating component 124 to improveresolution of sensing and/or to adjust power consumption of sensing. Inaddition, the power generating circuit 110 generates the drive signal110 such that the magnitude of the oscillating component 124 is lessthan magnitude of the DC component 122.

FIG. 6A is a schematic block diagram of a drive center circuit 28-alcoupled to a sensor 30. The drive sense-sense circuit 28-al includes asignal source circuit 111, a signal change detection circuit 113, and apower source 115. The power source 115 (e.g., a battery, a power supply,a current source, etc.) generates a voltage and/or current that iscombined with a signal 117, which is produced by the signal sourcecircuit 111. The combined signal is supplied to the sensor 30.

The signal source circuit 111 may be a voltage supply circuit (e.g., abattery, a linear regulator, an unregulated DC-to-DC converter, etc.) toproduce a voltage-based signal 117, a current supply circuit (e.g., acurrent source circuit, a current mirror circuit, etc.) to produce acurrent-based signal 117, or a circuit that provide a desired powerlevel to the sensor and substantially matches impedance of the sensor.The signal source circuit 111 generates the signal 117 to include a DC(direct current) component and/or an oscillating component.

When receiving the combined signal (e.g., signal 117 and power from thepower source) and when exposed to a condition 114, an electricalcharacteristic of the sensor affects 119 the signal. When the signalchange detection circuit 113 is enabled, it detects the affect 119 onthe signal as a result of the electrical characteristic of the sensor.

FIG. 8 is an example of a sensor graph that plots an electricalcharacteristic versus a condition. The sensor has a substantially linearregion in which an incremental change in a condition produces acorresponding incremental change in the electrical characteristic. Thegraph shows two types of electrical characteristics: one that increasesas the condition increases and the other that decreases and thecondition increases. As an example of the first type, impedance of atemperature sensor increases and the temperature increases. As anexample of a second type, a capacitance touch sensor decreases incapacitance as a touch is sensed.

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of another example of a power signalgraph in which the electrical characteristic or change in electricalcharacteristic of the sensor is affecting the power signal. In thisexample, the effect of the electrical characteristic or change inelectrical characteristic of the sensor reduced the DC component but hadlittle to no effect on the oscillating component. For example, theelectrical characteristic is resistance. In this example, the resistanceor change in resistance of the sensor decreased the power signal,inferring an increase in resistance for a relatively constant current.

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of another example of a powersignal graph in which the electrical characteristic or change inelectrical characteristic of the sensor is affecting the power signal.In this example, the effect of the electrical characteristic or changein electrical characteristic of the sensor reduced magnitude of theoscillating component but had little to no effect on the DC component.For example, the electrical characteristic is impedance of a capacitorand/or an inductor. In this example, the impedance or change inimpedance of the sensor decreased the magnitude of the oscillatingsignal component, inferring an increase in impedance for a relativelyconstant current.

FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram of another example of a powersignal graph in which the electrical characteristic or change inelectrical characteristic of the sensor is affecting the power signal.In this example, the effect of the electrical characteristic or changein electrical characteristic of the sensor shifted frequency of theoscillating component but had little to no effect on the DC component.For example, the electrical characteristic is reactance of a capacitorand/or an inductor. In this example, the reactance or change inreactance of the sensor shifted frequency of the oscillating signalcomponent, inferring an increase in reactance (e.g., sensor isfunctioning as an integrator or phase shift circuit).

FIG. 11A is a schematic block diagram of another example of a powersignal graph in which the electrical characteristic or change inelectrical characteristic of the sensor is affecting the power signal.In this example, the effect of the electrical characteristic or changein electrical characteristic of the sensor changes the frequency of theoscillating component but had little to no effect on the DC component.For example, the sensor includes two transducers that oscillate atdifferent frequencies. The first transducer receives the power signal ata frequency of f₁ and converts it into a first physical condition. Thesecond transducer is stimulated by the first physical condition tocreate an electrical signal at a different frequency f₂. In thisexample, the first and second transducers of the sensor change thefrequency of the oscillating signal component, which allows for moregranular sensing and/or a broader range of sensing.

FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a power signalchange detection circuit 112 receiving the affected power signal 118 andthe power signal 116 as generated to produce, therefrom, the signalrepresentative 120 of the power signal change. The affect 118 on thepower signal is the result of an electrical characteristic and/or changein the electrical characteristic of a sensor; a few examples of theaffects are shown in FIGS. 8-11A.

In an embodiment, the power signal change detection circuit 112 detect achange in the DC component 122 and/or the oscillating component 124 ofthe power signal 116. The power signal change detection circuit 112 thengenerates the signal representative 120 of the change to the powersignal based on the change to the power signal. For example, the changeto the power signal results from the impedance of the sensor and/or achange in impedance of the sensor. The representative signal 120 isreflective of the change in the power signal and/or in the change in thesensor's impedance.

In an embodiment, the power signal change detection circuit 112 isoperable to detect a change to the oscillating component at a frequency,which may be a phase shift, frequency change, and/or change in magnitudeof the oscillating component. The power signal change detection circuit112 is also operable to generate the signal representative of the changeto the power signal based on the change to the oscillating component atthe frequency. The power signal change detection circuit 112 is furtheroperable to provide feedback to the power source circuit 110 regardingthe oscillating component. The feedback allows the power source circuit110 to regulate the oscillating component at the desired frequency,phase, and/or magnitude.

FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a drivesense circuit 28-b includes a change detection circuit 150, a regulationcircuit 152, and a power source circuit 154. The drive-sense circuit28-b is coupled to the sensor 30, which includes a transducer that hasvarying electrical characteristics (e.g., capacitance, inductance,impedance, current, voltage, etc.) based on varying physical conditions114 (e.g., pressure, temperature, biological, chemical, etc.).

The power source circuit 154 is operably coupled to the sensor 30 and,when enabled (e.g., from a control signal from the processing module 42,power is applied, a switch is closed, a reference signal is received,etc.) provides a power signal 158 to the sensor 30. The power sourcecircuit 154 may be a voltage supply circuit (e.g., a battery, a linearregulator, an unregulated DC-to-DC converter, etc.) to produce avoltage-based power signal or a current supply circuit (e.g., a currentsource circuit, a current mirror circuit, etc.) to produce acurrent-based power signal. The power source circuit 154 generates thepower signal 158 to include a DC (direct current) component and anoscillating component.

When receiving the power signal 158 and when exposed to a condition 114,an electrical characteristic of the sensor affects 160 the power signal.When the change detection circuit 150 is enabled, it detects the affect160 on the power signal as a result of the electrical characteristic ofthe sensor 30. The change detection circuit 150 is further operable togenerate a signal 120 that is representative of change to the powersignal based on the detected effect on the power signal.

The regulation circuit 152, when its enabled, generates regulationsignal 156 to regulate the DC component to a desired DC level and/orregulate the oscillating component to a desired oscillating level (e.g.,magnitude, phase, and/or frequency) based on the signal 120 that isrepresentative of the change to the power signal. The power sourcecircuit 154 utilizes the regulation signal 156 to keep the power signalat a desired setting 158 regardless of the electrical characteristic ofthe sensor. In this manner, the amount of regulation is indicative ofthe affect the electrical characteristic had on the power signal.

In an example, the power source circuit 158 is a DC-DC converteroperable to provide a regulated power signal having DC and ACcomponents. The change detection circuit 150 is a comparator and theregulation circuit 152 is a pulse width modulator to produce theregulation signal 156. The comparator compares the power signal 158,which is affected by the sensor, with a reference signal that includesDC and AC components. When the electrical characteristics is at a firstlevel (e.g., a first impedance), the power signal is regulated toprovide a voltage and current such that the power signal substantiallyresembles the reference signal.

When the electrical characteristics changes to a second level (e.g., asecond impedance), the change detection circuit 150 detects a change inthe DC and/or AC component of the power signal 158 and generates therepresentative signal 120, which indicates the changes. The regulationcircuit 152 detects the change in the representative signal 120 andcreates the regulation signal to substantially remove the effect on thepower signal. The regulation of the power signal 158 may be done byregulating the magnitude of the DC and/or AC components, by adjustingthe frequency of AC component, and/or by adjusting the phase of the ACcomponent.

With respect to the operation of various drive-sense circuits asdescribed herein and/or their equivalents, note that the operation ofsuch a drive-sense circuit is operable simultaneously to drive and sensea signal via a single line. In comparison to switched, time-divided,time-multiplexed, etc. operation in which there is switching betweendriving and sensing (e.g., driving at first time, sensing at secondtime, etc.) of different respective signals at separate and distincttimes, the drive-sense circuit is operable simultaneously to performboth driving and sensing of a signal. In some examples, suchsimultaneous driving and sensing is performed via a single line using adrive-sense circuit.

FIG. 14A is a schematic block diagram 1401 of an embodiment of acommunication system in accordance with the present invention. Thisdiagram shows a transducer 1410 in communication with a drive-sensecircuit 28 in communication with a computing device 12. The computingdevice 12 is in communication with an automated apparatus 1420. Notethat the transducer 1410 may be interactive with any number of variousdevices including a sensor, an actuator, an optical device, and acousticdevice, and/or generally, any input and/or output device. In general,any such transducer (including any such transducer 1410) describedherein may be operative in such a manner.

Note than any example, embodiment, etc. and/or their equivalents asdescribed herein that describe a particular type of device incommunication with a drive-sense circuit (e.g., a sensor, an actuator,an optical device, and acoustic device, and/or generally, any inputand/or output device) may alternatively be implemented using anotherparticular type of device in communication with a drive-sense circuit.For example, in an example showing a sensor in communication with adrive-sense circuit, note that any other particular type of device mayalternatively in communication with that drive-sense circuit in analternative example.

In some embodiments, more than one transducer 1410 is implemented. Forexample, multiple instantiations of a transducer 1410 in communicationwith a drive-sense circuit 28 in communication with a computing device12 are implemented. In this diagram, each of the multiple instantiationsof such chains of devices is communication with the automated apparatus1420. In general, with respect to this diagram, a correspondingcomputing device 12 is deployed to be in communication with a respectivedrive-sense circuit 28 that is in communication with a respectivetransducer 1410.

Note that the automated apparatus 1420 may be implemented to perform anyof a variety of applications For example, automated apparatus 1420 maybe implemented to operate in accordance with a testing system, anassembly line operation, a manufacturing process, a monitoring system, aconveyance system operable to transport items from one location toanother, a sorting system such as that which coordinates and managesitems for shipping, a warehouse management system, a vehicularautomation system, an aircraft automation system, etc. and/or generallyany type of automation system. Some specific examples of variousautomation systems are described herein. Note that while such anautomated apparatus 1420 as described herein may be implemented withinany of these various automation systems, such implementation is notlimited to the various automation systems described herein. In general,any automated apparatus 1420 implemented to perform any one or moreautomated functions may be operative using one or more drive-sensecircuits 28.

Alternative embodiments of communication systems are described belowthat include one or more transducers. In general, a drive-sense circuit28 as described herein is operable to provide an interface between theanalog domain of the physical world (e.g., such as via transducer 1410)and the digital domain. The drive-sense circuit 28 is operable toperform this interfacing via a single line via which both driving of asignal and simultaneous sensing of that signal is performed.

FIG. 14B is a schematic block diagram 1402 of an embodiment of acommunication system in accordance with the present invention. In thisdiagram, a transducer network is implemented using two or moretransducers 1410. Each of the respective transducers 1410 is incommunication with a respective drive-sense circuit 28. A singularcomputing device 12 is in communication with the multiple respectivedrive-sense circuits 28. For example, computing device 12 is incommunication with a first drive-sense circuit 28, a second drive-sensecircuit 28, and optionally additional drive-sense circuits 28. Thecomputing device 12 is in communication with an automated apparatus1420.

FIG. 14C is a schematic block diagram 1403 of an embodiment of acommunication system in accordance with the present invention. In thisdiagram, a number of transducer networks are implemented such that eachrespectively includes two or more transducers 1410.

Considering transducer network 1, each of the respective transducers1410 therein is in communication with a respective drive-sense circuit28. A singular computing device 12 is in communication with the multiplerespective drive-sense circuits 28. Computing device 12 is incommunication with a first drive-sense circuit 28, a second drive-sensecircuit 28, and optionally additional drive-sense circuits 28. Thecomputing device 12 of transducer network 1 is in communication with anautomated apparatus 1420.

Considering transducer network n (n being appositive integer greaterthan or equal to 2), each of the respective transducers 1410 therein isin communication with a respective drive-sense circuit 28. A singularcomputing device 12 is in communication with the multiple respectivedrive-sense circuits 28. Computing device 12 is in communication with afirst drive-sense circuit 28, a second drive-sense circuit 28, andoptionally additional drive-sense circuits 28. Note that differentnumbers of chains including a respective transducer 14 and drive-sensecircuit 28 may be in communication with a respective computing device 12within a respective transducer network. The computing device 12 oftransducer network n is also in communication with an automatedapparatus 1420.

FIG. 15A is a schematic block diagram 1501 of an embodiment of acommunication system in accordance with the present invention. Thisdiagram shows a transducer 1410 in communication with a drive-sensecircuit 28 in communication with a computing device 12. The computingdevice 12 is in communication with an automated apparatus 1420 via oneor more networks 26.

In some embodiments, more than one transducer 1410 is implemented. Forexample, multiple instantiations of a transducer 1410 in communicationwith a drive-sense circuit 28 in communication with a computing device12 are implemented. In this diagram, each of the multiple instantiationsof such chains of devices is in communication with the automatedapparatus 1420 via the one or more networks 26. In general, with respectto this diagram, a corresponding computing device 12 is deployed to bein communication with a respective drive-sense circuit 28 that is incommunication with a respective transducer 1410.

This diagram provides flexibility by which different respective chainsof computing device 12 in communication with drive-sense circuit 28 incommunication with transducer 1410 may be implemented such that each ofthe respective computing devices 12 is in communication with the one ormore networks 26 and is operable to support communication with theautomated apparatus 1420.

Such an embodiment of a communication system as within this diagram andin several other diagrams allows for distributed implementation of therespective chains of a corresponding computing device 12 is deployed tobe in communication with a respective drive-sense circuit 28 that is incommunication with a respective transducer 1410. Such distributedimplementation may be within different locations of a singular building,installation, housing, etc. Alternatively, such distributedimplementation may be within different respective and remotely locatedbuildings, installations, housings, etc. and/or portions thereof.

FIG. 15B is a schematic block diagram 1502 of an embodiment of acommunication system in accordance with the present invention. In thisdiagram, a transducer network is implemented using two or moretransducers 1410. Each of the respective transducers 1410 thereof is incommunication with a respective drive-sense circuit 28. A singularcomputing device 12 is in communication with the multiple respectivedrive-sense circuits 28. For example, computing device 12 is incommunication with a first drive-sense circuit 28, a second drive-sensecircuit 28, and optionally additional drive-sense circuits 28. Thecomputing device 12 is in communication with an automated apparatus 1420via one or more networks 26.

FIG. 15C is a schematic block diagram 1503 of an embodiment of acommunication system in accordance with the present invention. In thisdiagram, a number of transducer networks are implemented such that eachrespectively includes two or more transducers 1410.

Considering transducer network 1, each of the respective transducers1410 thereof is in communication with a respective drive-sense circuit28. A singular computing device 12 is in communication with the multiplerespective drive-sense circuits 28. Computing device 12 is incommunication with a first drive-sense circuit 28, a second drive-sensecircuit 28, and optionally additional drive-sense circuits 28. Thecomputing device 12 of transducer network 1 is in communication with anautomated apparatus 1420 via one or more networks 26.

Considering transducer network n (n being appositive integer greaterthan or equal to 2), each of the respective transducers 1410 thereof isin communication with a respective drive-sense circuit 28. A singularcomputing device 12 is in communication with the multiple respectivedrive-sense circuits 28. Computing device 12 is in communication with afirst drive-sense circuit 28, a second drive-sense circuit 28, andoptionally additional drive-sense circuits 28. Note that differentnumbers of chains including a respective transducer 14 and drive-sensecircuit 28 may be in communication with a respective computing device 12within a respective transducer network. The computing device 12 oftransducer network n is also in communication with an automatedapparatus 1420 via the one or more networks 26.

FIG. 16A is a schematic block diagram 1601 of an embodiment of acommunication system in accordance with the present invention. Thisdiagram shows a transducer 1410 in communication with a drive-sensecircuit 28 that is in communication with a computing device 12 via oneor more networks 26. The computing device 12 is also in communicationwith an automated apparatus 1420 via the one or more networks 26.

In some embodiments, more than one transducer 1410 is implemented. Forexample, multiple instantiations of a transducer 1410 in communicationwith a drive-sense circuit 28 are implemented. In this diagram, each ofthe multiple instantiations of such chains of devices is communicationvia the one or more networks 26 to a respective one or more computingdevices 12. The one or more computing devices 12 are in communicationwith the automated apparatus 1420 via the one or more networks 26. Ingeneral, with respect to this diagram, a corresponding computing device12 is deployed to be in communication with a respective drive-sensecircuit 28 that is in communication with a respective transducer 1410via the one or more networks 26.

This diagram provides different flexibility by which differentrespective chains of a drive-sense circuit 28 in communication withtransducer 1410 may be implemented such that each of the respectivecomputing devices 12 is in communication with a respective chain ofdevices via the one or more networks 26 and is also operable to supportcommunication with the automated apparatus 1420 via the one or morenetworks 26.

FIG. 16B is a schematic block diagram 1602 of an embodiment of acommunication system in accordance with the present invention. In thisdiagram, a transducer network is implemented using two or moretransducers 1410. Each of the respective transducers 1410 thereof is incommunication with a respective drive-sense circuit 28. A singularcomputing device 12 is in communication with the multiple respectivedrive-sense circuits 28 via the one or more networks 26. For example,computing device 12 is in communication with a first drive-sense circuit28, a second drive-sense circuit 28, and optionally additionaldrive-sense circuits 28 via the one or more networks 26. The computingdevice 12 is also in communication with an automated apparatus 1420 viathe one or more networks 26.

FIG. 16C is a schematic block diagram 1603 of an embodiment of acommunication system in accordance with the present invention. In thisdiagram, a number of transducer networks are implemented such that eachrespectively includes two or more transducers 1410.

Considering transducer network 1, each of the respective transducers1410 thereof is in communication with a respective drive-sense circuit28. A singular computing device 12 is in communication with the multiplerespective drive-sense circuits 28. Computing device 12 is incommunication via one or more networks 26 with a first drive-sensecircuit 28, a second drive-sense circuit 28, and optionally additionaldrive-sense circuits 28. The computing device 12 of transducer network 1is also in communication with an automated apparatus 1420 via the one ormore networks 26.

Considering transducer network n (n being appositive integer greaterthan or equal to 2), each of the respective transducers 1410 thereof isin communication with a respective drive-sense circuit 28. A singularcomputing device 12 is in communication with the multiple respectivedrive-sense circuits 28 via the one or more networks 26. Computingdevice 12 is in communication with a first drive-sense circuit 28, asecond drive-sense circuit 28, and optionally additional drive-sensecircuits 28 via the one or more networks 26. Note that different numbersof chains including a respective transducer 14 and drive-sense circuit28 may be in communication with a respective computing device 12 withina respective transducer network. The computing device 12 of transducernetwork n is also in communication with an automated apparatus 1420 viathe one or more networks 26.

Note that any of a variety of different configurations of one or morecomputing devices 12 in communication with an automated apparatus 1420may be implemented including via one or more networks 26.

Various examples, embodiments, etc. of automated apparatus 1420 aredescribed below with reference to certain of the diagrams. Examples ofsuch an automated apparatus 1420 include an assembly system, rotatingequipment, a conveyor belt system, a person monitoring system, acommunication system (e.g., within any number of applications such asautomobile, aircraft, etc.), etc.

FIG. 17A is a schematic block diagram 1701 of an embodiment of anassembly system in accordance with the present invention. This diagramshows an assembly system that operates to assemble vehicles (e.g., cars,trucks, etc.). Assembly machinery is used to place various components onto the vehicle during the assembly process on the assembly line.Appropriate components within the assembly machinery include integrateddrive-sense circuits. For example, robotic devices such as may includemechanical arms interact with various components during the assemblyprocess. This may include installing various portions of the vehicle toa frame during his family process, such as placing a door, a wheelincluding a tire, a motor, a windshield, components of the vehicle, etc.Note also that such robotic devices may be operative and interactivewith a user such as a user employing a mechanical arm to assist in theinstallation of such a various portions of the vehicle during theassembly process.

A drive-sense circuit that is integrated within the assembly machinerymay be configured to perform various operations. For example, adrive-sense circuit operating cooperatively with assembly machinery maybe configured to sense distance between various components during theassembly process, the relative position of such components during theassembly process, the contact pressure of a component duringinstallation on the vehicle, etc.

Note also that an automated process may include different respectivesub-processes. For example, with respect to the assembly of a vehicle, afirst sub-process includes installation of the motor and drive train(e.g., such as transmission, etc.), etc. A second sub-process includesinstallation of the exterior of the vehicle including the hood, sidepanels, windows, etc.

In certain examples, one or more processing modules 42 (and/or one ormore computing devices 12) is in communication with an automatedapparatus 1420 that is operable to execute one or more portions of anautomated process associated with the assembly system. For example, theone or more processing modules 42 (and/or the one or more computingdevices 12) is configured to receive digital signals from at least someof the drive-sense circuits 28, to process those digital signals, and togenerate one or more automated process commands to be provided to andused by the automated apparatus 1420 in accordance with the automatedprocess.

FIG. 17B is a schematic block diagram 1702 of an embodiment ofcomponents including rotating equipment in accordance with the presentinvention. Rotating equipment may be implemented within any of a varietyof applications and in accordance with a variety of automated processes.A drive-sense circuit 28 is in communication with rotating equipment1710. Rotating equipment 1710 may operate independently (e.g., such aswith respect to any one or more of an assembly machinery, a drill, apump, a compressor, a turbine, a fan, etc.) or it may couple via one ormore components to a load 1720.

In an example, consider that the rotating equipment 1710 is a steamturbine such as may be implemented within an electrical generationsystem, the load 1720 is the generator that is operable to generateelectricity based on its rotation via coupling to the steam turbine.Drive-sense circuit 28 is operable to be in communication with one ormore sensors that may be implemented to monitor operation of the steamturbine.

In an example, consider that the rotating equipment 1710 is a motor suchas may be implemented within an electrical generation system, the load1720 is the generator that is operable to generate electricity based onits rotation via coupling to the motor. Drive-sense circuit 28 isoperable to be in communication with one or more sensors that may beimplemented to monitor operation of the motor and/or the generator. Inaddition, note that an instantiation of drive-sense circuit 28 isoperable to be in communication with the motor itself to deliver a motordrive signal provided to the motor and simultaneously to sense the motordrive signal.

In another example, consider that the rotating equipment 1710 is a fansuch as may be implemented within a building to facilitate airflow, inan industrial building such as in accordance with a processingoperation, etc. In such an instance, the load 1720 may not be physicallyimplemented. For example, the load 1720 may alternatively be viewed asthe resistance against which the fan is implemented to push (or pull)air. Drive-sense circuit 28 is operable to be in communication with oneor more sensors that may be implemented to monitor operation of the fan.In addition, note that an instantiation of drive-sense circuit 28 isoperable to be in communication with the fan itself to deliver a fandrive signal provided to the fan and simultaneously to sense the fandrive signal.

Note that drive-sense circuit 28, when implemented to drive andsimultaneously to sense a signal operable to drive the rotatingequipment 1710, is configured to perform a variety of sensing functionswith respect to the rotating equipment 7010. For example, thedrive-sense circuit 28 is configured to sense one or more of speed ofthe rotating equipment, torque of the rotating equipment, backelectromagnetic force (EMF), back pressure of the rotating equipment,mechanical engagement of the rotating equipment with the load 1720,mechanical engagement of the rotating equipment with one or morecoupling components between the rotating equipment and the load 1720,and/or any other characteristic associated with the rotating equipment1710.

In certain examples, one or more processing modules 42 (and/or one ormore computing devices 12) is in communication with an automatedapparatus 1420 that is operable to execute one or more portions of anautomated process associated with the rotating equipment. For example,the one or more processing modules 42 (and/or the one or more computingdevices 12) is configured to receive digital signals from at least someof the drive-sense circuits 28, to process those digital signals, and togenerate one or more automated process commands to be provided to andused by the automated apparatus 1420 in accordance with the automatedprocess. Note that the automated apparatus 1420 may alternatively beimplemented by the one or more processing modules 42 (and/or the one ormore computing devices 12) itself or themselves.

FIG. 18 is a schematic block diagram 1800 of an embodiment of a conveyorbelt system in accordance with the present invention. A conveyor beltsystem may be employed for any of a number of purposes in any of anumber of applications. For example, a conveyor belt system may beemployed for moving various products from one point to another. Suchmovement may be associated with manufacturing of one or more articles ofmanufacture (AoMs), one or more articles or components, production ofone or more articles or components (including food products), etc. Ingeneral, a conveyor belt system may be implemented in use ofmanufacturing of any of various components including vehicles (e.g.,bicycles, motorcycles, cars, trucks, sports utility vehicles (SUVs),etc.), watercraft (e.g., leisure boats, water skiing boats, fishingboats, etc.), aircraft (e.g., airplanes, helicopters, etc.), computingcomponents (e.g., printed circuit boards, modules, etc.), computingdevices (e.g., laptop computers, desktop computers, servers, etc.),personal computing devices (e.g., tablets, cellular phones, smartphones, etc.), displays (e.g., televisions, computer monitors, etc.),appliances (e.g., washing machines, laundry machines, dishwashingmachines, refrigerators, freezers, etc.), food processing (e.g., foodpacking, food preparation, food cooking, food cooling, food freezing,etc.), component moving and sorting (e.g., mail sorting and organizing,shipping and handling sorting and organizing, warehouse item managementand organization, AoM management and organization, etc.) and/or anyother item(s) that may be moved from one location to another in one ormore manufacturing processes including any sub-components thereof.

This diagram shows generally how a conveyor belt system may be viewed asincluding an endless conveyor belt, such that the respective ends of theconveyor belt are connected thereby forming a continuous and endlessloop. The conveyor belt may pass by and around a number of rollers,including end rollers, before repeating its respective path. As may beunderstood, depending upon the direction of movement of the conveyorbelt, a forward pass of the belt and a return path of the belt will beoppositely situated with respect to each other. It is also noted thatsuch conveyor belt systems may be implemented in any of a variety ofconfigurations, including spiral implemented configurations such thatcertain portions of the conveyor belt pass extend helically around adrum assembly such that products may be conveyed up or down around thatdrum assembly.

Also, while certain embodiments envision moving product along the pathof the conveyor belt in only one direction, alternative embodiments mayinclude capability to drive the conveyor belt in more than one direction(e.g., in a first direction and also in a second direction, such asforward and backward). For example, considering a conveyor belt as anaccumulating conveyor, such a conveyor belt may be operative to convey aproduct in one direction during a first time or time period, andoperated to convey that same product, or other product, in anotherdirection during a second time or time period. Certain embodiments mayinclude a forward and reverse direction for conveying product along thepath of the conveyor belt. In addition, it is noted that multiplerespective conveyor systems may interact cooperatively such that morethan a singular pathway exists, and certain portions of conveyors may beoperative in forward and backward directions, while other portions ofconveyors may be operative in only one of the forward or backwarddirections, etc. generally speaking, any desired combination of variousconveyors, in any desired configuration, including not directly into andpathways, may be implemented in accordance with any one or more of thevarious aspects, embodiments, and/or their equivalents, of theinvention. In some examples, the product(s) are transported via a firstconveyor at or during a first time, then are transported via a secondconveyor at or during a second time.

With respect to such a conveyor belt system, a drive-sense circuit 28may be implemented to drive and sense various signals to the variouscomponents associated therewith. For example, a drive-sense circuit 28is configured to drive and simultaneously to sense a signal provided toa motor 1820. Such a motor 1820 is configured to drive a roller, adriver, etc. of the conveyor belt system. Considering another example, adrive-sense circuit 28 is configured to drive and simultaneously tosense a signal provided to a transducer 1410.

Such a transducer 1410 is implemented to provide information associatedwith any one or more of the components, processes, environmentalconditions, etc. associated with the conveyor system. For example, atransducer 1410 may be implemented in accordance with a sensorapplication to provide environmental information such as temperature,pressure, humidity, etc. associated with the conveyor belt system.Considering another example, a transducer 1410 may be implemented inaccordance with a sensor application to provide information relating tothe various components of the conveyor belt system including speed ofthe conveyor belt, torque of a roller or driver of the conveyor belt,etc. In addition, a transducer 1410 may be implemented to provideinformation related to the proximity of various products, articles ofmanufacture (AoMs), etc. that are being transported via the conveyorbelt system.

Considering yet another example, a transducer 1410 may be implemented inaccordance with an actuator application to drive one or more of thecomponents of the conveyor belt system (e.g., the motor 1820, atemperature and/or pressure related component that performs certainoperations on the various products, articles of manufacture (AoMs), etc.that are being transported via the conveyor belt system, etc.).

FIG. 19 is a schematic block diagram 1900 of an embodiment of a conveyorbelt system in accordance with the present invention. This diagram showsa conveyor belt system implemented with separate processing regionsamong the pathway of the conveyor belt system. This diagram shows howdifferent respective portions of the conveyor belt may undergo differentrespective processing. For example, as may be understood in accordancewith certain manufacturing processes, different operational steps may beperformed on a given AoM at different times during the entiremanufacturing process. With respect to food processing and production,different operational steps may be performed in accordance withgenerating an end food product. It is of course noted that a givenproduct may undergo modification during one or more of the respectiveoperational processes applied thereto, in that, a product may be firstlymodified in accordance with the first processing region, secondlymodified in accordance with the second processing region, etc. As may beunderstood, during such operations, the product being conveyed via theconveyor belt system may undergo modification and/or transformationduring its respective passage through the conveyor belt system.

In accordance with performing different respective processing operationson respective products (e.g., whether they be articles of manufacture,food components, etc.), different environmental considerations andconstraints may be particularly associated with each respectiveprocessing region. For example, any two respective processing regionsmay have as few as one or as many as all different respectivecharacteristics, such as, temperature, humidity, moisture, airflow,pressure (e.g., such as environmental/air pressure within a givenregion), heating, cooling, drying, freezing, addition of one or morecomponents, modification of size (e.g., such as cutting or reducing to aspecified or desired size), packaging, etc. That is to say, eachrespective processing region may be particularly tailored to performingany one or more of the total operational steps employed in creating anend product. For example, within a food processing and productionimplementation, a first processing region may be associated with mixinga number of components together, while a second processing region may beassociated with cooking the resultant of mixed components, while a thirdprocessing region may be associated with cooling the cooked resultant,while a fourth processing region may be associated with packaging thefinal resultant, etc. Generally, it may be understood that differentrespective processing regions may be specifically suited and tailoredfor performing different operations and the respective environmentalconsiderations and constraints within those different respective regionsmay be varied.

Again, as also described with respect other embodiments, differentrespective directional movement of product along any one or moreconveyors may be made, including both forward and backward movement ofproduct at different respective times or time periods, such as inaccordance with an accumulating conveyor.

Within any such conveyance type system such as a conveyor belt systemdescribed with reference to FIG. 18 and FIG. 19, note that varioustransducer networks may be implemented to provide information to anautomated apparatus with respect to any one or more of the variousprocesses, sub-processes, processing regions, etc. Note that as few asone single transducer may be included within a transducer network.

In certain examples of a conveyor belt system described with referenceto FIG. 18 or FIG. 19, one or more processing modules 42 (and/or the oneor more computing devices 12) is in communication with an automatedapparatus 1420 that is operable to execute one or more portions of anautomated process associated with the conveyor belt system. For example,the one or more processing modules 42 (and/or the one or more computingdevices 12) is configured to receive digital signals from at least someof the drive-sense circuits 28, to process those digital signals, and togenerate one or more automated process commands to be provided to andused by the automated apparatus 1420 in accordance with the automatedprocess.

FIG. 20A is a schematic block diagram 2001 of an embodiment of a personmonitoring system in accordance with the present invention. One or moretransducers are implemented to drive and/or monitor various components,characteristics, features, a person. Note that some applications operateusing components associated with a person that deliver products to theperson or maintain operation of one or more organs of the person.Considering some possible examples, such components include as apacemaker operative in accordance with the cardiovascular system, aninsulin pump operative in accordance with a diabetic treatment system, ablood treatment component operative in accordance with a hemophiliatreatment system, an intravenous system operative in accordance withdelivering a one or more medicines, liquids, etc. to a person via thatperson's bloodstream, a nutrient delivery operative in accordance withdelivering foo, liquid, nutrients, etc. to a person, etc. A drive-sensecircuit 28 is implemented in accordance with a transducer and/oractuator application to provide a signal to drive such a component andsimultaneously to sense the signal that is used to drive the component.

Note that other applications operate primarily by providing feedbackinformation relating to vital statistics of the person. Considering someexamples, such components may include any one or more of a heart ratemonitor, a breathing or respiration monitor, a blood pressure monitor,etc. A drive-sense circuit 28 is implemented in accordance with a sensorapplication to provide a signal to drive such a component andsimultaneously to sense the signal that is used to drive the component.

One or more processing modules 42 is in communication with and/orimplemented with the one or more drive-sense circuits 28 in accordancewith one or more applications associated with a person.

The one or more processing modules 42 (and/or the one or more computingdevices 12) is in communication with an automated apparatus 1420 that isoperable to execute one or more portions of an automated processassociated with the person monitoring system. For example, the one ormore processing modules 42 is configured to receive digital signals fromat least some of the drive-sense circuits 28, to process those digitalsignals, and to generate an automated process command to be provided toand used by the automated apparatus 1420 in accordance with theautomated process. Note that the automated apparatus 1420 mayalternatively be implemented by the one or more processing modules 42(and/or the one or more computing devices 12) itself or themselves.

FIG. 20B is a schematic block diagram 2002 of an embodiment of acommunication system in accordance with the present invention. Thisembodiment of a communication system includes one or more processingmodules 42, which may be implemented within one or more computingdevices 12, that is in communication with one or more of other devicesthat may include one or more of a laptop computer, television, heating,ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) components, security system, audiocomponents, and/or temperature controlled food storage such as arefrigerator or freezer, etc.

One or more of these other devices includes a transducer 1410 that is incommunication with drive-sense circuit 28. The drive-sense circuit 28 isimplemented in accordance with a transducer and/or actuator applicationto provide a signal to drive such a component and simultaneously tosense the signal that is used to drive the component.

In an example of operation and implementation, one or more processingmodules 42 (and/or one or more computing devices 12) provides a signalto a component of a HVAC system and simultaneously senses that signal.For example, the one or more processing modules 42 (and/or the one ormore computing devices 12) is in communication with a drive-sensecircuit 28 that is configured to provide a drive signal to a condensingunit of the HVAC system and simultaneously to sense that signal. The oneor more processing modules 42 (and/or the one or more computing devices12) is configured to receive a digital signal from that drive-sensecircuit, to process that drive digital signal, and to generate anautomated process command to be provided to and used by and automatedapparatus 1420 that is implemented to execute an automated process thisis associated with the HVAC system.

In general, any of the respective devices within the communicationsystem is configured to be in communication with one or more drive-sensecircuits 28. A respective drive-sense circuit 28 is configured to drivethat component and simultaneously to sense the signal that is used todrive that component.

The one or more processing modules 42 (and/or one or more computingdevices 12) is in communication with an automated apparatus 1420 that isoperable to execute one or more portions of an automated processassociated with the communication system. For example, the one or moreprocessing modules 42 is configured to receive digital signals from atleast some of the drive-sense circuits 28, to process those digitalsignals, and to generate an automated process command to be provided toand used by the automated apparatus 1420 in accordance with theautomated process. Note that the automated apparatus 1420 mayalternatively be implemented by the one or more processing modules 42(and/or the one or more computing devices 12) itself or themselves.

An example of operation of the automated apparatus 1420 may includeoperating an HVAC system to maintain a desired temperature, humidity,etc. Another example of operation of the automated apparatus 1420 mayinclude operating one or more audio and/or video components of a home,building, facility, etc. Another example of operation of the automatedapparatus 1420 may include operating a security system of a home,building, facility, etc.

FIG. 21 is a schematic block diagram 2100 of an embodiment of acommunication system in accordance with the present invention. Thisdiagram includes a number of transducer, sensor, actuator, etc. devicesimplemented in various locations in an environment including a buildingor structure. For example, some devices are implemented to supportcommunications associated with monitoring and/or sensing of any of avariety of different conditions, parameters, etc.

In this diagram, multiple respective devices are implemented to forwardinformation related to monitoring and/or sensing to a computing device12 and/or processing module(s) 42 that may be operating as a manager,coordinator, etc. Generally speaking, such devices may be implemented toperform any of a number of data forwarding, monitoring, and/or sensingoperations. For example, in the context of a building or structure,there may be a number of services that are provided to that building orstructure, including natural gas line service, electrical service (e.g.,such as may include heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC)service), television service, Internet service, security system service,etc. Alternatively, different respective monitors and/or sensors may beimplemented throughout the environment to perform monitoring and/orsensing related to parameters not specifically related to services. Assome examples, motion detection, door ajar detection, temperaturemeasurement (and/or other atmospheric and/or environmentalmeasurements), etc. may be performed by different respective monitorsand/or sensors implemented in various locations and for various purposesand optionally not ties into a security system service.

Different respective monitors and/or sensors may be implemented toprovide information related to such monitoring and/or sensing functionsto a manager/coordinator wireless communication device (e.g., computingdevice 12 and/or processing module(s) 42). Such information may beprovided continuously, sporadically, intermittently, etc. as may bedesired in certain applications.

In addition, it is noted that such communications between such amanager/coordinator wireless communication device of the differentrespective monitors and/or sensors may be cooperative in accordance withsuch bidirectional communications, in that, the manager/coordinatorwireless communication device may direct the respective monitors and/orsensors to perform certain related functions at subsequent times.

Any of the respective devices within the communication system isconfigured to be in communication with one or more drive-sense circuits28. A respective drive-sense circuit 28 is configured to drive thatcomponent and simultaneously to sense the signal that is used to drivethat component.

The one or more processing modules 42 (and/or the one or more computingdevices 12) is in communication with an automated apparatus 1420 that isoperable to execute one or more portions of an automated processassociated with the communication system. For example, the one or moreprocessing modules 42 is configured to receive digital signals from atleast some of the drive-sense circuits 28, to process those digitalsignals, and to generate an automated process command to be provided toand used by the automated apparatus 1420 in accordance with theautomated process. Note that the automated apparatus 1420 mayalternatively be implemented by the one or more processing modules 42(and/or the one or more computing devices 12) itself or themselves. Anexample of operation of the automated apparatus 1420 may includeoperating any one or more of the respective system described herein andwith respect to the diagram (e.g., one or more components of any one ormore of an electric power system, a security system, an Internet ServiceProvider (ISP) system, a natural gas system, etc.).

FIG. 22A is a schematic block diagram 2201 of an embodiment of one ormore communication systems within an automobile. Note that while anautomobile is used in this diagram, other examples could include anytype of transportation vehicle (e.g., a truck, a bus, a taxi, a manuallyoperated vehicle, an autonomous vehicle, a watercraft, etc.).Considering this example of an automobile, one or more input and/oroutput devices are implemented around the automobile. The input and/oroutput devices may include cameras with capability to take still photos,capture video, display information to a user, etc.

In another example, the input devices include Laser IlluminatedDetection And Ranging (LIDAR) sensors that have capability to measuredistance via limiting a target with a light source such as a laser andanalyzing the reflected light. Generally, any of a number of differenttypes of sensors that are configured to acquire information regardingthe environment in which the automobile is may be implemented to providean input signal for use by a computing device 12 and/or processingmodule(s) 42 within the automobile to determine one or morecharacteristics of a physical environment around the automobile. In someexamples, the automobile includes an integrated local area network (LAN)backbone, a wireless local area network (WLAN) communication network, aBluetooth communication network, a computing device 12 and/or processingmodule(s) 42, etc.

In one example, the automobile includes an automotive control system anda number of cameras implemented within the vehicle to capture at leastone of photographic and video information of a physical environmentaround the automobile. These camera(s) generate input signal(s) based onthe at least one of photographic or video information and provides theinput signal(s) to a computing device 12 and/or processing module(s) 42implemented within the automobile. The input signals from the camerasmay pass through respective transducers to generate signals that arecompliant for transmission to the computing device 12 and/or processingmodule(s) 42. The automobile also includes a user interface (e.g., avideo screen, a monitor, a navigation screen, a navigation system, aglobal positioning system (GPS) system, and/or audio speakers, etc.)configured to receive input and/or provide output to a user of theautomobile. For example, the user interface receives the control signalfrom the second transducer and generates and also outputs informationcorresponding to the physical environment around the automobile based onthe control signal. This information may inform a user of the automobileregarding the physical environment around the automobile.

In another example, the automobile includes an automotive control systemand one or more laser illuminated detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensorsthat determines a characteristic that corresponds to a physicalenvironment around the automobile. The LIDAR sensor(s) generatesignal(s) based on the characteristic and provides the input signal(s)(e.g., directly or via transducers) to the computing device 12 and/orprocessing module(s) 42 by way of the integrated LAN backbone. Theautomotive control system that includes LIDAR sensor(s) may also includea user interface as described just above for use to receive input and/orprovide output to a user of the automobile.

In yet another example, the control system is implemented within anautonomous vehicle. The inputs to such a control system within anautonomous vehicle may include camera(s), LIDAR sensor(s), proximitysensor(s), etc. An autonomous vehicle includes one or more actuatorsconfigured to receive control signal(s) (e.g., directly or fromtransducers) and to adapt operation of the autonomous vehicle based onthe control signal(s). For example, the actuator(s) may be implementedto control any one of the accelerator pedal, the brake pedal, thesteering wheel, the climate control within the vehicle such asair-conditioning or heating, tinting of windows, and/or any otheradjustable, configurable, or adaptive element within the autonomousvehicle. Note that such an autonomous vehicle may include capability formanual override of any element by a user of the automobile.

In another example, the automobile includes one or more displaycomponents (e.g., including such displays as may also be implemented tooperate as a user interface, a touchscreen (TS), etc.). Note that any ofthe display, user interface, a touchscreen (TS), etc. may be implementedusing any of a variety of optical technologies including light emittingdiode (LED), organic light emitting diode (OLED), mini-LED, micro-LED,etc. and/or any combination of such optical devices or other opticaldevices.

Any of the respective devices within the one or more communicationsystems within an automobile is configured to be in communication withone or more drive-sense circuits 28. A respective drive-sense circuit 28is configured to drive that component and simultaneously to sense thesignal that is used to drive that component.

The one or more processing modules 42 (and/or the one or more computingdevices 12) is in communication with an automated apparatus 1420 that isoperable to execute one or more portions of an automated processassociated with the communication system. For example, the one or moreprocessing modules 42 is configured to receive digital signals from atleast some of the drive-sense circuits 28, to process those digitalsignals, and to generate an automated process command to be provided toand used by the automated apparatus 1420 in accordance with theautomated process. Note that the automated apparatus 1420 mayalternatively be implemented by the one or more processing modules 42(and/or the one or more computing devices 12) itself or themselves.

FIG. 22B is a schematic block diagram 2202 of an embodiment of one ormore communication systems within an aircraft. A computing device 12and/or processing module(s) is/are implemented to receive communicationfrom various elements and to provide other communications to actuatorsthat effectuate the position, status, condition, etc. of one or morecontrol elements within an aircraft flight control system implementedwithin the aircraft. Examples of elements that provide input signals mayinclude any one or more of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a wind speedsensor, altimeter, a barometric pressure sensor, an optical sensor thatdetects light and/or darkness, and/or any other instrumentation the maybe implemented within an aircraft.

In one example, the control system includes one or both of anaccelerometer and a gyroscope that generates input signal(s) based onone or both of acceleration and/or rotation of the aircraft and providesthe input signal(s) to the first transducer provides the input signal(s)(e.g., directly or via transducers) to the processor(s) by way of theLAN backbone 116. After the processor(s) 110 have appropriatelyprocessed the input signal(s) and generated control signal(s), theprocessor(s) 110 transmit the control signal(s) (e.g., directly or viatransducers) to actuator(s) that adapt position, status, condition, etc.of one or more flight control surfaces of the aircraft flight controlsystem based on the control signal. For example, the actuator(s) may beimplemented to control any one of the various flight control surfaces ofthe aircraft including an elevon (e.g., such as on a main or centrallylocated wing), a tail elevon, a tail rudder, an aileron, a trim tab,and/or any other flight control surface. The actuator(s) may beimplemented to control any one of the various flight control mechanismsuch as engine speed, any braking mechanism, and/or any other flightcontrol mechanism. In general, the actuator(s) may be implemented tocontrol any element of the aircraft that is part of the aircraft flightcontrol system including any of those that may be governed by autopilotbased operation.

Note also that one or more gauges, monitors, sensors may be operativeand in communication with one or more drive-sense circuits. For example,along one or more of the wings of the aircraft, a longitudinal stressgauge/sensor may be implemented that is operative and in communicationwith one or more drive-sense circuits. Such a sensor may be implementedbased on a sensing electrode, film, or other one or more elements thatis operative and in communication with one or more drive-sense circuits.In some examples, such a sensor is implemented to detect stress,movement, flex, etc. along the length of a wing of the aircraft.

In addition, one or more skin monitors/sensors may be operative and incommunication with one or more drive-sense circuits. In some examples,such one or more skin monitors/sensors may be implemented along one ormore portions of the aircraft (e.g., along the fuselage, internal to theaircraft and/or external to the aircraft, etc.) is/are implemented todetect stress, movement, flex, etc. along any desired portion of theaircraft.

In addition, one or more window monitors/sensors may be operative and incommunication with one or more drive-sense circuits. In some examples,such one or more window monitors/sensors may be implemented along one ormore window portions of the aircraft (e.g., along the one or more widowsin a passenger portion of the aircraft, along the one or more widows ina cockpit portion of the aircraft, internal to the aircraft and/orexternal to the aircraft, etc.) is/are implemented to detect stress,movement, flex, etc. along any window portion of the aircraft.

Note also that other systems may be implemented within either theautomobile FIG. 22A or the aircraft of FIG. 22B. For example, a firstsubsystem includes communications for a control system, a secondsubsystem includes communications for a media-based system forpassengers, a third subsystem includes communications for pilot(s) andflight attendant(s), etc. Generally speaking, any one or more subsystemsmay be implemented within either the automobile FIG. 22A or the aircraftof FIG. 22B.

Any of the respective devices either the automobile FIG. 22A or theaircraft of FIG. 22B is configured to be in communication with one ormore drive-sense circuits 28. A respective drive-sense circuit 28 isconfigured to drive that component and simultaneously to sense thesignal that is used to drive that component.

The one or more processing modules 42 (and/or the one or more computingdevices 12) is in communication with an automated apparatus 1420 that isoperable to execute one or more portions of an automated processassociated with the communication system. For example, the one or moreprocessing modules 42 is configured to receive digital signals from atleast some of the drive-sense circuits 28, to process those digitalsignals, and to generate an automated process command to be provided toand used by the automated apparatus 1420 in accordance with theautomated process. Note that the automated apparatus 1420 mayalternatively be implemented by the one or more processing modules 42(and/or the one or more computing devices 12) itself or themselves.

Also, note that while many examples have been provided herein detailingvarious systems that include a drive-sense circuit 28 configured todrive a component of the system and simultaneously to sense the signalthat is used to drive that component of the system, note that suchapplications are not limited specifically to the examples of embodimentsdescribed herein. In general, any interface with an analog feature maybe serviced by a drive-sense circuit 28. Examples of an analog featuremay include any one or more of temperature, humidity, any electricalcharacteristic such as impedance, voltage, current, etc., proximity toanother component, distance between two components, rotational speed ofa component, etc. Various examples and embodiments described herein alsodescribe other various types of analog features. Note that any analogfeature of any type that is capable of being transformed into anelectrical signal of any kind may be serviced via the drive-sensecircuit 28.

From certain perspectives, the drive-sense circuit 28 is configured toperform an analog to digital interface between the analog feature of thephysical world and one or more processing modules 42 (and/or one or morecomputing devices 12) that are configured to use digital informationthat is representative of the analog feature. In certain examples, thedrive-sense circuit 28 is configured to the interfacing to any of anumber of components including transducers, sensors, actuators, etc.that interactive interface with an analog feature of the physical worldto be used in a variety of applications. Certain applications operate inaccordance with the Internet, the Internet of Things (IOT), etc. Forexample, the communication and interactivity between the variouscomponents within the system, at least some of which are serviced usinga drive-sense circuit 28, may be supported using the Internet and inaccordance with an IOT implementation.

In an example of operation and implementation, an automation systemincludes a plurality of transducers configured to monitor a plurality ofanalog features associated with the automation system, a plurality ofdrive-sense circuits, a computing device, and an automated apparatus.

The plurality of transducers is configured to monitor a plurality ofanalog features associated with the automation system. The plurality ofdrive-sense circuits is operably coupled to the plurality of transducers(e.g., a first drive-sense circuits operably coupled to a firsttransducer, a second drive-sense circuits operably coupled to a secondtransducer, etc.). When enabled, a drive-sense circuit of the pluralityof drive-sense circuits is configured to drive and sense a transducer ofthe plurality of transducers via a single line, generate a digitalsignal representative of a sensed analog feature to which the transducerof the plurality of transducers is exposed, and transmit the digitalsignal to a computing device.

The computing device, when enabled, is configured to receive digitalsignals from at least some of the plurality of drive-sense circuits, andto process the digital signals in accordance with an automation processto produce an automated process command. The automated apparatus, whenenabled, is configured to execute a portion of an automated processbased on the automated process command.

In some examples, the automation process includes a plurality ofsub-processes. Also, a first transducer network includes a first subsetof the plurality of transducers configured to monitor a first pluralityof sensed analog features including the sensed analog feature associatedwith a first sub-process, and a second transducer network includes asecond subset of the plurality of transducers configured to monitor asecond plurality of sensed analog features associated with a secondsub-process.

Also, in other examples, another plurality of transducers configured tomonitor another plurality of analog features associated with theautomation system. Also, another plurality of drive-sense circuits isoperably coupled to the plurality of transducers. When enabled, anotherdrive-sense circuit of the other plurality of drive-sense circuits isconfigured to drive and sense another transducer of the other pluralityof transducers via another single line, generate another digital signalrepresentative of another sensed analog feature to which the othertransducer of the plurality of another transducers is exposed, andtransmit the other digital signal to another computing device.

The other computing device, when enabled, is further configured toreceive other digital signals from at least some of the other pluralityof drive-sense circuits operably coupled to the other plurality oftransducers, and to process the other digital signals in accordance withthe automation process to produce another automated process command.

The automated apparatus, when enabled, is further configured to executeanother portion of the automated process based on another automatedprocess command that is received from another computing device.

Note that the computing device and the automated apparatus are incommunication via a network that includes at least one of a wirelesscommunication system, a cellular communication system, a wire linedcommunication system, a non-public intranet system, a public internetsystem, a local area network (LAN), and/or a wide area network (WAN) insome examples.

In addition, certain examples of the drive-sense circuit of theplurality of drive-sense circuits include a power source circuit and apower source change detection circuit. The power source circuit isoperably coupled to the transducer of the plurality of transducers viathe single line. When enabled, the power source circuit is configured toprovide an analog signal via the single line coupling to the transducerof the plurality of transducers, and wherein the analog signal includesat least one of a DC (direct current) component and an oscillatingcomponent. The power source change detection circuit operably coupled tothe power source circuit. when enabled, the power source changedetection circuit is configured to detect an effect on the analog signalthat is based on an electrical characteristic of the transducer of theplurality of transducers and to generate the digital signalrepresentative of the sensed analog feature to which the transducer isexposed based on the effect on the analog signal.

In some examples, note that the power source circuit includes a powersource to source at least one of a voltage or a current to thetransducer of the plurality of transducers via the single line. Also,the power source change detection circuit includes a power sourcereference circuit configured to provide at least one of a voltagereference or a current reference and also a comparator configured tocompare the at least one of the voltage and the current provided to thetransducer of the plurality of transducers to the at least one of thevoltage reference and the current reference to produce the analogsignal.

Note that the plurality of analog features may be of any of a variety oftypes including environmental pressure, environmental temperature,environmental humidity, component temperature, distance between twocomponents, position of a first component in relation a secondcomponent, contact pressure between the first component and the secondcomponent, rotational speed of a rotating equipment, and/or torque ofthe rotating equipment.

Note also that the automation process may be of any of a variety oftypes including those corresponding to one or more of an assemblingprocess, a manufacturing process, a heating, ventilation, airconditioning (HVAC) process, a security system process, and/or ametering process.

FIG. 23A is a schematic block diagram 2301 of an embodiment of adrive-sense circuit in communication with a transducer and a computingdevice in accordance with the present invention. In an example ofoperation and implementation, a transducer 1410 is configured totransform an analog feature into an analog electrical signal. Thetransducer 1410 is driven via a single line by a drive-sense circuit 28that is configured to drive a signal to the transducer 1410 andsimultaneously to sense that signal via the single line. In alternativeexamples, note that a transducer 1410 is configured to transform ananalog feature into a digital electrical signal (e.g., such that thetransducer 1410 is implemented to perform an analog to digital converter(ADC) process). Note that drive-sense circuit 28 is also operative todrive a signal to such an example of the transducer 1410 andsimultaneously to sense that signal via the single line.

The drive-sense circuit 28 is configured to perform the analog todigital and/or digital to analog conversion between an analog domain andthe digital domain. The drive-sense circuit 28 is configured to generatea digital signal that is representative of the analog feature to whichthe transducer is exposed (e.g., a condition to which the transducer isexposed). One or more processing modules 42 (and/or one or morecomputing devices 12) is configured to receive that digital signal and tprocess that digital signal. Such processing may include generation ofdigital information corresponding to the analog feature.

In certain examples, this digital information is provided to anautomated apparatus 1420. In certain specific examples, the one or moreprocessing modules 42 (and/or the one or more computing devices 12) isconfigured to process the digital signal in accordance with anautomation process to produce an automated process command. Theautomated apparatus 1420 is configured to execute a portion of theautomated process based on that automated process command.

In other examples, the one or more processing modules 42 (and/or the oneor more computing devices 12) is configured to provide the digitalinformation corresponding to the analog feature to the automatedapparatus 1420. Then, the automation is configured to process thedigital signal in accordance with an automation process to produce anautomated process command. The automated apparatus 1420 is configured toexecute a portion of the automated process based on that automatedprocess command.

Note that while the coupling and/or connectivity between the drive-sensecircuit 28 and the transducer 1410 may be implemented using a singleline, the communication between the drive-sense circuit 28 and the oneor more processing modules 42 (and/or the one or more computing devices12) may be implemented using any of a number of different meansincluding multi-line and/or multi-pathway communications including nsuch lines and/or pathways (e.g., where n is a positive integer greaterthan or equal to 1).

Note that while examples and embodiments included herein describetransducer 1410, note that any number of devices, components, etc. thatinterface with an analog feature in the physical world may beimplemented in place of transducer 1410 as pictorially shown. Forexample, a sensor, an actuator, and/or any other device, component, etc.may be implemented in place of transducer 1410 as pictorially shown.

FIG. 23B is a schematic block diagram 2302 of an embodiment of adrive-sense circuit in communication with a transducer in accordancewith the present invention. In an example of operation andimplementation, a transducer 1410 is exposed to a sensed analog feature.Many types of transducers have an impedance separating them from aground potential (e.g., a ground voltage level). A drive-sense circuit28 is configured to drive a signal via a single line to a transducer1410 that is separated from the ground voltage potential andsimultaneously to sense that signal via the single line. Note that thedrive-sense circuit 28 may be connected to a different ground potentialand/or a different ground potential contact point than the transducer1410. The drive-sense circuit 28 is configured to communicate with thetransducer 1410 via the single line. Regardless of the transducer typeof the transducer 1410 and regardless of the manner in which it iselectrically configured as it is exposed to an analog feature, thedrive-sense circuit 28 is configured to interface with the transducer1410 via the single line.

FIG. 24A is a schematic block diagram 2401 of an embodiment of atransducer circuitry in communication with one or more processingmodules (and/or computing devices) in accordance with the presentinvention. Similar to the previous diagram, this diagram shows atransducer 1410, a drive-sense circuit 28, and one or more processingmodules 42 (and/or one or more computing devices 12). In this diagram,the transducer 1410 and the drive-sense circuit 28 are implementedwithin a transducer circuitry 2410. The transducer circuitry 2410includes the capability and functionality of both the transducer 1410and the drive-sense circuit. A transducer 1410 is integrated into asingle device with a corresponding drive-sense circuit 28 therebyforming the transducer circuitry 2410. Note that any such transducer1410 may be integrated with and implemented with a correspondingdrive-sense circuit 28.

FIG. 24B is a schematic block diagram 2402 of an embodiment ofimplementation of a transducer circuitry in communication withprocessing circuitry in accordance with the present invention. Similarto certain previous diagrams, this diagram shows a transducer 1410, adrive-sense circuit 28, and one or more processing modules 42. In thisdiagram, the drive-sense circuit 28 and the one or more processingmodules 42 are implemented within a computing device 12-24 that is avariant of computing device 12. A corresponding drive-sense circuit 28is integrated into a single device with the one or more processingmodules 42 thereby forming the circuit 28 and the one or more processingmodules 42 are implemented within a computing device 12-24. Note thatany such one or more processing modules 42 may be integrated with andimplemented with a corresponding drive-sense circuit 28.

In general, note that the respective components of the transducer 1410,the drive-sense circuit 28, and the one or more processing modules 42(and/or the one or more computing devices 12) may be implemented in avariety of ways including various forms of integration between therespective components. In general, any device that is operative to bedriven by a signal provided from a drive-sense circuit 28 mayalternatively be modified to include such a drive-sense circuit 28integrated therein. Similarly, any such one or more processing modules42 (and/or one or more computing devices 12) that is operative to be incommunication with the drive-sense circuit may alternatively be modifiedto include such a drive-sense circuit 28 integrated therein.

Note that such drive-sense circuit may be separately implemented fromtransducer 1410 and the one or more processing modules 42 (and/or theone or more computing devices 12), may be integrated with the transducer1410, may be integrated with the one or more processing modules 42(and/or the one or more computing devices 12), or may alternatively bedistributed among both the transducer 1410 and the one or moreprocessing modules 42 (and/or the one or more computing devices 12) suchthat a portion of the drive-sense circuit 28 is included within thetransducer 1410 and at least one other portion of the drive-sensecircuit 28 is included within the one or more processing modules 42(and/or the one or more computing devices 12).

FIG. 25A is a schematic block diagram 2501 of an embodiment of atransducer circuitry in communication with one or more processingmodules (and/or computing devices) in accordance with the presentinvention. Similar to certain previous diagrams, this diagram shows atransducer 1410 and a drive-sense circuit 28. In this diagram, thedrive-sense circuit 28 is in communication with the one or moreprocessing modules 42 (and/or the one or more computing devices 12) viaa communication link that includes n lines or pathways (n being apositive integer greater than or equal to 1). Note that thecommunication link may be implemented in any of a variety of waysincluding a wired communication link, and optical fiber communicationlink, a hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) communication links (e.g., that mayinclude various wired and/or optical fiber communication segments, lightsources, light or photo detection components, etc.), etc.

Also, the drive-sense circuit 28 is implemented to provide connectivityto another component that is being driven by the drive-sense circuit 28via hardwiring (e.g., via a wired connection) that may be implementedvia a single line. However, note that alternative forms of connectivitybetween the drive-sense circuit 28 and another component may beimplemented. For example, connectivity between the drive-sense circuit28 and another component may be implemented based on near-fieldcommunication (NFC). Also, connectivity between the drive-sense circuit28 and another component may be implemented based on inductive coupling(e.g., such as via a transformer, inductive windings, NFC, etc.). In yetanother alternative example, connectivity between the drive-sensecircuit 28 and another component may be implemented based on an infrared(IR) coupler that is capable to transmit a signal and simultaneously toprovide feedback of that signal in accordance with operation of thedrive-sense circuit 28. In yet another alternative example, connectivitybetween the drive-sense circuit 28 and another component may beimplemented based on an optical coupling device that is capable totransmit an optical signal and simultaneously to provide feedback ofthat optical signal in accordance with operation of the drive-sensecircuit 28 (e.g., to perform simultaneous transmission and sensing ofthe optical signal).

In general, connectivity between the drive-sense circuit 28 and anothercomponent may be implemented based on any form of communication that iscapable to transmit a signal and simultaneously to provide feedback ofthat signal in accordance with operation of the drive-sense circuit 28.

FIG. 25B is a schematic block diagram 2502 of an embodiment of atransducer circuitry in communication with one or more processingmodules (and/or computing devices) in accordance with the presentinvention. Similar to certain previous diagrams, this diagram shows atransducer 1410 and a drive-sense circuit 28. In this diagram, thedrive-sense circuit 28 is in communication with the one or moreprocessing modules 42 (and/or the one or more computing devices 12) viaat least one wireless communication link. Note that the wirelesscommunication link may be implemented to include n lines or pathways (nbeing a positive integer greater than or equal to 1). The drive-sensecircuit 28 is implemented to provide connectivity to another componentthat is being driven by the drive-sense circuit 28 via hardwiring (e.g.,via a wired connection) that may be implemented via a single line. Aswith the previous diagram, connectivity between the drive-sense circuit28 and another component may be implemented based on any form ofcommunication that is capable to transmit a signal and simultaneously toprovide feedback of that signal in accordance with operation of thedrive-sense circuit 28 including those particularly described above.

FIG. 25C is a schematic block diagram 2503 of an embodiment of acommunication system in accordance with the present invention. Thisdiagram shows communication between computing device 12 and/orprocessing module(s) and computing device 12-25 a. A computing device12-25 s is in communication with computing device 12 (and/or any numberof other computing devices) via one or more transmission media. Thecomputing device 12-25 a includes a communication interface 2560 toperform transmitting and receiving of at least one signal, symbol,packet, frame, etc. (e.g., using a transmitter 2562 and a receiver2564).

Generally speaking, the communication interface 2560 is implemented toperform any such operations of an analog front end (AFE) and/or physicallayer (PHY) transmitter, receiver, and/or transceiver. Examples of suchoperations may include any one or more of various operations includingconversions between the frequency and analog or continuous time domains(e.g., such as the operations performed by a digital to analog converter(DAC) and/or an analog to digital converter (ADC)), gain adjustmentincluding scaling, filtering (e.g., in either the digital or analogdomains), frequency conversion (e.g., such as frequency upscaling and/orfrequency downscaling, such as to a baseband frequency at which one ormore of the components of the device 310 operates), equalization,pre-equalization, metric generation, symbol mapping and/or de-mapping,automatic gain control (AGC) operations, and/or any other operationsthat may be performed by an AFE and/or PHY component within a wirelesscommunication device.

In some implementations, the computing device 12-25 a also includes oneor more processing module(s) 42 and an associated memory 2540, toexecute various operations including interpreting at least one signal,symbol, packet, and/or frame transmitted to computing device 12 and/orreceived from the computing device 12. The computing device 12-25 a andcomputing device 12 may be implemented using at least one integratedcircuit in accordance with any desired configuration or combination ofcomponents, modules, etc. within at least one integrated circuit.

Also, in some examples, note that one or more of the processingmodule(s) 42, the communication interface 2560 (including the TX 2562and/or RX 2564 thereof), and/or the memory 2540 may be implemented inone or more “processing modules,” “processing circuits,” “processors,”and/or “processing units” or their equivalents. Considering one example,a system-on-a-chip (SOC) 2530 a may be implemented to include theprocessing module(s) 42, the communication interface 2560 (including theTX 2562 and/or RX 2564 thereof), and the memory 2540 (e.g., SOC 2530 abeing a multi-functional, multi-module integrated circuit that includesmultiple components therein). Considering another example,processing-memory circuitry 2530 b may be implemented to includefunctionality similar to both the processing module(s) 42 and the memory2540 yet the communication interface 2560 is a separate circuitry (e.g.,processing-memory circuitry 2530 b is a single integrated circuit thatperforms functionality of processing circuitry and a memory and iscoupled to and also interacts with the communication interface 2560).

Considering even another example, two or more processing circuitries maybe implemented to include the processing module(s) 42, the communicationinterface 2560 (including the TX 2562 and/or ILRX 2564 thereof), and/orthe memory 2540. In such examples, such a “processing circuitry” or“processing circuitries” (or “processor” or “processors”) is/areconfigured to perform various operations, functions, communications,etc. as described herein. In general, the various elements, components,etc. shown within the computing device 12-25 a may be implemented in anynumber of “processing modules,” “processing circuits,” “processors,”and/or “processing units” (e.g., 1, 2, . . . , and generally using Nsuch “processing modules,” “processing circuits,” “processors,” and/or“processing units”, where N is a positive integer greater than or equalto 1).

In some examples, the computing device 12-25 a includes both processingmodule(s) 42, the communication interface 2560 configured to performvarious operations. In other examples, the computing device 12-25 aincludes SOC 2530 a configured to perform various operations. In evenother examples, the computing device 12-25 a includes processing-memorycircuitry 2530 b configured to perform various operations. Generally,such operations include generating, transmitting, etc. signals intendedfor one or more other devices (e.g., computing device 12 and/or otherprocessing module(s) 42) and receiving, processing, etc. other signalsreceived for one or more other devices (e.g., computing device 12 and/orother processing module(s) 42).

In some examples, note that the communication interface 2560, which iscoupled to the processing module(s) 42, that is configured to supportcommunications within a satellite communication system, a wirelesscommunication system, a wired communication system, a fiber-opticcommunication system, and/or a mobile communication system (and/or anyother type of communication system implemented using any type ofcommunication medium or media). Any of the signals generated andtransmitted and/or received and processed by the computing device 12-25a may be communicated via any of these types of communication systems.

In addition, the processing module(s) 42 is coupled to a drive-sensecircuit 28 as described herein. The drive-sense circuit 28 isimplemented to interact with a transducer, a sensor, an actuator, and/orother component(s). Note that the drive-sense circuit 28 is configuredto perform simultaneous driving and sensing of signals provided to sucha transducer, a sensor, an actuator, and/or other component(s).

FIG. 25D is a schematic block diagram 2504 of an embodiment of acommunication system in accordance with the present invention. Thisdiagram is similar to the prior diagram with the exception that acomputing device 12-25 b (that includes similar components as thecomputing device 12-25 a of the prior diagram) is implemented to supportwireless communications with computing device 12 and/or other processingmodule(s) 42. For example, this diagram shows communication betweencomputing device 12 and/or other processing module(s) and computingdevice 12-25 b that are implemented as wireless communication devices.Also, the computing device 12-25 b and computing device 12 may eachinclude one or more antennas for transmitting and/or receiving of atleast one signal, symbol, packet, frame, etc. (e.g., computing device12-25 b and may include m antennas, and computing device 12 may includen antennas, such that m and n are positive integers and may be differentvalued positive integers).

FIG. 26 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an embodiment of amethod 2600 for execution by one or more devices in accordance with thepresent invention. The method 2600 begins by transmitting one or moresignals to a transducer in step 2610. The method 2600 continues bydetecting signals from the transducer in step 2620. This detection mayinclude any one or more of change of the one or more signals transmittedto the transducer, one or more signals produced by the transducer inresponse to one or more analog features, one or more other signalsincluded with the one or more signals produced by the transducer, etc.In general, the detection of the one or more signals from the transducerincludes not only the one or more signals transmitted to the transducer,but any other signal that has been coupled into and is included with inthe one or more signals from the transducer. Note that other signalsthat may be coupled into and included within the one or more signalsfrom the transducer may correspond to interference, noise, and/or anyother source of signal.

Also, note that operations of the step 2610 and the step 2620 may beperformed simultaneously. For example, the transmitting of the one ormore signals to the transducer and the detection of one or more signalsfrom the transducer may be performed simultaneously. As an example, asignal to be transmitted to the transducer and step 2610 while thatsignal is simultaneously sensed in step 2620.

The method 2600 and then operates by processing the one or more signalsfrom the transducer to generate digital information corresponding to oneor more analog features to which the transducer is exposed in step 2630.

FIG. 27 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an embodiment of amethod 2700 for execution by one or more devices in accordance with thepresent invention. The method 2700 operates in step 2710 by monitoring aplurality of analog features associated with the automation system via aplurality of transducers operably coupled to a plurality of drive-sensecircuits. The method 2700 also operates a drive-sense circuit of theplurality of drive-sense circuits in accordance with performing variousoperations. This involves, in step 2720, to drive and sense a transducerof the plurality of transducers via a single line. In step 2730, thisoperates to generate a digital signal representative of a sensed analogfeature to which the transducer of the plurality of transducers isexposed. In step 2740, this operates to transmit the digital signal to acomputing device.

The method 2700 also operates the computing device in accordance withperforming various operations. In step 2750, this operates to receivedigital signals from at least some of the plurality of drive-sensecircuits. In step 2760, thus operates to process the digital signals inaccordance with an automation process to produce an automated processcommand. The method 2700 also operates in step 2770 by executing, by anautomated apparatus, a portion of an automated process based on theautomated process command.

In variants of the method 2700, the automation process including aplurality of sub-processes. Such variants of the method 2700 alsooperate by monitoring a first plurality of sensed analog featuresincluding the sensed analog feature associated with a first sub-processbased on a first transducer network that includes a first subset of theplurality of transducers. Such variants of the method 2700 also operateby monitoring a second plurality of sensed analog features associatedwith a second sub-process based on a second transducer network includesa second subset of the plurality of transducers.

In addition, other variants of the method 2700 operate by monitoringanother plurality of analog features associated with the automationsystem via another plurality of transducers operably coupled to anotherplurality of drive-sense circuits. Such other variants of the method2700 also operate by operating another drive-sense circuit of the otherplurality of drive-sense circuits to perform various operations. Thisinvolves capability and functionality to drive and to sense anothertransducer of the other plurality of transducers via another singleline, to generate another digital signal representative of anothersensed analog feature to which the other transducer of the otherplurality of transducers is exposed, and to transmit the other digitalsignal to another computing device. Such other variants of the method2700 also operate by operating the other computing device to performvarious operations. This includes to receive other digital signals fromat least some of the other plurality of drive-sense circuits and toprocess the other digital signals in accordance with the automationprocess to produce another automated process command. Such othervariants of the method 2700 also operate by executing, by the automatedapparatus, another portion of the automated process based on the otherautomated process command.

In addition, within some variants of the method 2700, the computingdevice and the automated apparatus in communication via a network thatincludes at least one of a wireless communication system, a wire linedcommunication system, a non-public intranet system, a public internetsystem, a local area network (LAN), and/or a wide area network (WAN).

In addition, certain examples of the drive-sense circuit of theplurality of drive-sense circuits include a power source circuit and apower source change detection circuit. The power source circuit isoperably coupled to the transducer of the plurality of transducers viathe single line. When enabled, the power source circuit is configured toprovide an analog signal via the single line coupling to the transducerof the plurality of transducers, and wherein the analog signal includesat least one of a DC (direct current) component and an oscillatingcomponent. The power source change detection circuit operably coupled tothe power source circuit, when enabled, the power source changedetection circuit is configured to detect an effect on the analog signalthat is based on an electrical characteristic of the transducer of theplurality of transducers and to generate the digital signalrepresentative of the sensed analog feature to which the transducer isexposed based on the effect on the analog signal.

In some examples, note that the power source circuit includes a powersource to source at least one of a voltage or a current to thetransducer of the plurality of transducers via the single line. Also,the power source change detection circuit includes a power sourcereference circuit configured to provide at least one of a voltagereference or a current reference and also a comparator configured tocompare the at least one of the voltage and the current provided to thetransducer of the plurality of transducers to the at least one of thevoltage reference and the current reference to produce the analogsignal.

Note that the plurality of analog features may be of any of a variety oftypes including environmental pressure, environmental temperature,environmental humidity, component temperature, distance between twocomponents, position of a first component in relation a secondcomponent, contact pressure between the first component and the secondcomponent, rotational speed of a rotating equipment, and/or torque ofthe rotating equipment.

Note also that the automation process may be of any of a variety oftypes including those corresponding to one or more of an assemblingprocess, a manufacturing process, a heating, ventilation, airconditioning (HVAC) process, a security system process, and/or ametering process.

FIG. 28 is a schematic block diagram 2800 of an embodiment of atransducer testing system in accordance with the present invention.Similar to certain previous diagrams, this diagram shows a transducer1410, a drive-sense circuit 28, and one or more processing modules 42.Note that the one or more processing modules 42 may be implementedwithin one or more computing devices. Note also that the transducer 1410may be interactive with any number of various devices including asensor, an actuator, an optical device, and acoustic device, and/orgenerally, any input and/or output device. In general, any suchtransducer (including any such transducer 1410) described herein may beoperative in such a manner.

In an example of operation and implementation, the drive-sense circuit28 is configured to transmit one or more predetermined signals to thetransducer 1410. As the drive-sense circuit 28 is operable to drive thetransducer 1410 with the signal and simultaneously to sense the signalbeing driven to the transducer 1410, the drive-sense circuit 28 isconfigured to determine one or more transducer characteristics. Examplesof such transducer characteristics include any one or more of aresponse, frequency response, a profile, etc. The one or more processingmodules 42 is configured to process one or more digital signals providedfrom the drive-sense circuit 28 to determine the one or more transducercharacteristics. The one or more processing modules 42 is alsoconfigured to compare the one or more transducer characteristics to oneor more expected transducer characteristics. For example, based on oneor more expected, predetermined, known, etc. characteristics of thetransducer 1410, the one or more processing modules 42 is configured todetermine a difference between the one or more characteristics of thetransducer 1410 and the one or more expected characteristics.

Based on such a comparison, and specifically based on an unfavorablecomparison between the one or more transducer characteristics and theone or more expected transducer characteristics, one or more processingmodules 42 is configured to perform one or more operations. In oneexample, the one or more processing modules 42 is configured torecalibrate the transducer 1410 based on an unfavorable comparison. Inanother example, the one or more processing modules 42 is configured tomodify the one or more signals that are transmitted to the transducerbased on an unfavorable comparison. And yet another example, based on afavorable comparison between the one or more transducer characteristicsand the one or more expected transducer characteristics, the one or moreprocessing modules 42 is configured to continue operation in cooperationwith the drive-sense circuit 28 and the transducer 1410 withoutrecalibration, adaptation, modification, etc.

In an example of operation and implementation, the operation of the oneor more processing modules 42 in cooperation with the drive-sensecircuit 28 and the transducer 1410 is different at different times.Considering a first time, the transducer 1410 is not exposed to anyanalog feature. The drive-sense circuit 28 is configured to drive asignal to the transducer 1410 simultaneously to sense the signal that isdriven to the transducer 1410 to establish a baseline of operation withrespect to the transducer 1410. Such operation may be performed duringcalibration such as within an assembly plant, factory, etc.

Considering a second time, a known input is provided to the transducer1410. The drive-sense circuit 28 is configured to drive a signal to thetransducer 1410 simultaneously to sense the signal that is driven to thetransducer 1410 to determine response of the transducer 1410 based onthe known input (e.g., based on one or more of a known input, a knownenvironment, an alternative process of calibration such as within anassembly plant, factory, etc.).

Considering a third time, consider that the transducer 1410 isimplemented in an application in which it is exposed to an analogfeature. The drive-sense circuit 28 is configured to drive a signal tothe transducer 1410 simultaneously to sense the signal that is driven tothe transducer 1410 to determine response of the transducer 1410 duringits operation within the particular application in which it is exposedto the analog feature (e.g., when sensing an analog feature in thefield, based on verification of the in-field characteristic).

Generally speaking, the drive-sense circuit 28 has capability andfunctionality not only to drive a signal to the transducer 1410 but alsosimultaneously to sense the signal that is driven to the transducer1410. The drive-sense circuit 28, in accordance with such sensingcapability, includes capability and functionality to provide a degree ofresolution to allow an accurate characterization of one or morecharacteristics of the transducer.

FIG. 29 is a schematic block diagram 2900 of an embodiment of transduceroperation in accordance with the present invention. At the top of thisdiagram, a response of a transducer is shown based on a horizontal axisbeing input and based on a vertical axis being output. Comparisonbetween an expected response of the transducer and a detected responseof the transducer allows to determine how closely the transducer isoperating to an expected manner. Based on an unfavorable comparisonbetween the expected response and the detected response, the transducermay be recalibrated. In addition to or alternatively to recalibration,the one or more signals that are driven by a drive-sense circuit to thetransducer may be modified based on an unfavorable comparison betweenthe expected response and the detected response. Such modification ofthe one or more signals provided to the transducer is performed so thatthe transducer operates in known, expected, etc. manner.

At the bottom of this diagram, a response of the transducer is shownbased on a horizontal axis being gain and based on a vertical axis beingfrequency. Generally speaking, such a response may be viewed as being afrequency response. As described above, comparison between an expectedresponse of the transducer and a detected response of the transducerallows for a determination on how closely the transducer is operating toan expected manner. The use of a frequency response characterization ofthe transducer allows for selectivity and granularity of the response ofthe transducer as a function of frequency.

In addition, note that other means of characterizing one or morecharacteristics of transducer may be used. Any characterization thatallows for comparison of an expected response of the transducer and adetected response to the transducer may be used to provide the expectedresponse of the transducer and/or the detected response of thetransducer to be used in the determination of how closely the transduceris operating to an expected manner. For example, there may be instanceswhen a limited number of data points are available to characterizeresponse of the transducer. Any of a number of desired means may be usedto generate the expected response of the transducer and/or the detectedresponse of the transducer. Examples of various means may includepattern recognition, curve fitting with linear or nonlinear regression,etc. Regardless of the means by which the expected response of thetransducer and/or the detected response of the transducer are generated,comparison may be made between the expected response of the transducerand the detected response of the transducer, and determination ofunfavorable comparison may be made when they do not acceptably match oneanother (e.g., non-compliant with one another within 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.5%,1%, 2%, 5%, 10%, and/or any other desired number or degree that is usedto specify non-compliance with one another).

FIG. 30 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an embodiment of amethod 3000 for execution by one or more devices in accordance with thepresent invention. The method 3000 operates in step 3010 by transmittingone or more signals to transducer. The method 3000 also operates in step3020 by detecting change of the one or more signals transmitted to thetransducer (and/or detecting one or more other signals). Note that suchtransmission and detection performed simultaneously, such as may beperformed in accordance with operation of the drive-sense circuit incommunication with the transducer. For example, operation of the steps3010 and 3020 may be performed simultaneously in accordance with asimultaneous transmit receive operation, such as may be performed inaccordance with operation of the drive-sense circuit in communicationwith the transducer. Note also that any additional signal that iscoupled into or included with the one or more signals transmitted to thetransducer will be detected based on detection of the one or moresignals transmitted to the transducer.

The method 3000 also operates in step 3030 by processing the change ofthe one or more signals transmitted to the transducer to determine oneor more transducer characteristics. Examples of such transducercharacteristics may include a response, frequent response, andinput/output response, etc.

The method 3000 also operates in step 3040 by comparing the one or moretransducer characteristics to one or more expected characteristics ofthe transducer. Based on a favorable comparison of the one or moretransducer characteristics to the one or more expected characteristicsof the transducer, the method 3000 ends or continues (e.g., such ascontinue with one or more other methods, the end the method 3000 again,etc.).

Based on an unfavorable comparison of the one or more transducercharacteristics to the one or more expected characteristics of thetransducer, the method 3000 operates in step 3060 by recalibrating thetransducer. In another example, comparison of the one or more transducercharacteristics to the one or more expected characteristics of thetransducer on an unfavorable comparison of the one or more transducercharacteristics to the one or more expected characteristics of thetransducer, the method 3000 operates in step 3070 by modifying the oneor more signals provided to the transducer. Such modification of the oneor more signals provided to the transducer is performed so that thetransducer operates in known, expected, etc. manner.

FIG. 31 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment 3100 of atransducer zone drive characterization system in accordance with thepresent invention. Similar to certain previous diagrams, this diagramshows a transducer 1410, a drive-sense circuit 28, and one or moreprocessing modules 42. Note that the one or more processing modules 42may be implemented within one or more computing devices. Note also thatthe transducer 1410 may be interactive with any number of variousdevices including a sensor, an actuator, an optical device, and acousticdevice, and/or generally, any input and/or output device. In general,any such transducer (including any such transducer 1410) describedherein may be operative in such a manner.

As described herein with respect to other samples, embodiments,diagrams, etc., a detected response of the transducer and an expectedresponse of the transducer may not acceptably match or compare favorablyto one another.

In an example of operation and implementation, the drive-sense circuit28 is configured to drive different signals having differentcharacteristics to the transducer 1410 and simultaneously to sense thosedifferent signals being driven to the transducer 1410. The drive-sensecircuit 28 is configured to vary any of the number of differentparameters associated with the various signals being driven to thetransducer 1410. For example, the drive-sense circuit 28 is configuredto vary the drive signal magnitude, frequency, ranges thereof, signaltype, signal shape, periodicity, DC offset, etc. and/or any othercharacteristic associated with a signal being driven to the transducer1410.

Considering the right hand side of the diagram is one example, based onidentification of certain frequency ranges and/or drive signal magnituderanges within which the transducer 1410 operates in an expected manner(e.g., behaves linearly), identification may be made of particularcombinations of drive signal magnitude ranges and frequency ranges. Insome examples, different respective combinations of drive signalmagnitude ranges and frequency ranges are identified and ranked in termsof performance. Then, the drive-sense circuit 28 is configured tooperate using drive signals that are included within one or moreidentified combinations of drive signal magnitude ranges and frequencyranges to effectuate extended linear operation of the transducer 1410.Note also that the expected manner of operation of the transducer 1410need not necessarily be linear. So long as the expected manner ofoperation of the transducer 1410 is known and predictable, appropriatesignal processing can be performed by the one or more processing modules42 when processing one or more digital signals received from thedrive-sense circuit 28 to interpret operation of the transducer 1410,which may include determining one or more characteristics one or moreanalog features to which the transducer 1410 is exposed.

Note that such a transducer 1410 may be driven with any of a number ofdifferent types of signals (e.g., of with different frequencies, signalstrengths, signal shapes, etc.), to extend precision of the transducer1410 (e.g., including sensing in a senor based application). Spectralanalysis of the transducer 1410 and it operation is performed tooptimize the frequency of drive signal(s), the magnitude of the drivesignal(s), etc. Note also that any such drive signal(s) may have a DCcomponent. In addition, note that some drive signal(s) are DC drivesignal(s).

FIG. 32 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment 3200 of a drivesignal identification system in accordance with the present invention.Similar to certain previous diagrams, this diagram shows a transducer1410, a drive-sense circuit 28, and one or more processing modules 42.Note that the one or more processing modules 42 may be implementedwithin one or more computing devices. Note also that the transducer 1410may be interactive with any number of various devices including asensor, an actuator, an optical device, and acoustic device, and/orgenerally, any input and/or output device. In general, any suchtransducer (including any such transducer 1410) described herein may beoperative in such a manner.

This diagram shows the various means by which transducer drive signalmay be generated. In one example, the transducer drive signal magnitudeis held constant or fixed, while the transducer drive signal frequencyis variable. Different types of transducer drive signals may begenerated and provided via a drive-sense circuit 28 to transducer 1410.For example, different signals may be provided by stepping across arange in certain steps/increments, varying, etc. the drive signalfrequency to characterize the transducer response such that thefrequency varies based on a transducer drive signal having a constant orfixed magnitude.

In another example, the transducer drive signal frequency is heldconstant or fixed, while the transducer drive signal magnitude isvariable. Different types of transducer drive signals may be generatedand provided via a drive-sense circuit 28 to transducer 1410. Forexample, different signals may be provided by stepping across a range incertain steps/increments, varying, etc. the drive signal magnitude tocharacterize the transducer response such that magnitude varies based ona transducer drive signal having a constant or fixed frequency.

In yet another example, both the transducer drive signal frequency andthe transducer drive signal magnitude are variable. Different types oftransducer drive signals may be generated and provided via a drive-sensecircuit 28 to transducer 1410. For example, different signals may beprovided by stepping across a range in certain steps/increments,varying, etc. the drive signal magnitude and/or the drive signalfrequency to characterize the transducer response. In some examples,such dual knob adjustment of the transducer drive signal in terms ofboth frequency and magnitude allows for identification of one or moresweet spots of operation and one or more regions (e.g., combinationsand/or ranges of drive signal magnitudes and/or frequencies) thatprovide acceptable transducer response.

FIG. 33 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an embodiment of amethod 3300 for execution by one or more devices in accordance with thepresent invention. The method 3300 operates in step 3310 by transmittingone or more signals to transducer. The method 3300 also operates in step3320 by detecting change of the one or more signals transmitted to thetransducer (and/or detecting one or more other signals). Note that suchtransmission and detection performed simultaneously, such as may beperformed in accordance with operation of the drive-sense circuit incommunication with the transducer. For example, operation of the steps3310 and 3320 may be performed simultaneously in accordance with asimultaneous transmit receive operation, such as may be performed inaccordance with operation of the drive-sense circuit in communicationwith the transducer. Note also that any additional signal that iscoupled into or included with the one or more signals transmitted to thetransducer will be detected based on detection of the one or moresignals transmitted to the transducer.

The method 3300 also operates in step 3330 by processing the change ofthe one or more signals transmitted to the transducer to determine oneor more transducer characteristics. Examples of such transducercharacteristics may include a response, frequent response, andinput/output response, etc.

The method 3300 then operates based on one or more of steps 3340, 3342,and 3344. Based on operation of step 3340, the method 3300 operates byranking (prioritizing) transducer drive signal magnitudes (and/orranges). Based on operation of step 3342, the method 3300 operates byranking (prioritizing) transducer drive signal frequencies (and/orranges). Based on operation of step 3344, the method 3300 operates byranking (prioritizing) transducer drive signal magnitude/frequencycombinations (and/or ranges).

The method 3300 also operates in step 3350 by selecting one or moredrive signal magnitudes and/or frequencies (and/or ranges) that providefor acceptable transducer operation. In addition, the method 3300 alsooperates in step 3360 by operating the transducer based on the one ormore drive signal magnitudes and/or frequencies (and/or ranges) that isselected. Such operation of the transducer may be performed inaccordance with a drive-sense circuit as described herein.

With respect to various calibration, testing, characterization,identification of one or more drive signal magnitudes and/or frequencies(and/or ranges), etc. with respect to one or more transducers. Note thatsuch operations may be performed at different times. For example, suchoperations may be performed based on a particular schedule orperiodicity. Alternatively, such operations may be performed based onone or more triggering events. For example, based on a detected changeof an environmental parameter (e.g., temperature, humidity, operationalconditions, etc.), such operations may be performed to help ensure thatoperation in accordance with the one or more transducers is beingperformed effectively.

FIG. 34 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment 3400 of an opticaldevice operating as both a source and a detector in accordance with thepresent invention. A light emitting diode (LED) emits photons when anappropriate current is passed from the anode to the cathode thereof. Atthe top left of the diagram, a light emitting diode (LED) circuitryincludes a voltage source that is applied to an LED that is coupled toan impedance (shown as a Z, which may include resistive (e.g., such asfrom a resistor, R) and/or reactive (e.g., such as from an inductor, Land/or capacitor, C) components, which may be employed to limit theamount of current passing through the LED to prevent damage to the LED).As current is passed through the LED, photons are emitted.

At the top right of the diagram, a photo-diode (PD) is implementedwithin a trans-impedance circuitry. The trans-impedance circuitryincludes a buffer, operational amplifier, etc. having a first inputcoupled to the ground potential, and a second input coupled to thecathode of the PD. Note that the PD may be implemented using an LED. Animpedance (shown as a Z) is also coupled from the second input to theoutput of the buffer, operational amplifier, etc. As light, photons, ourincident on the PD or the LED, a current, I, flows that generates anoutput voltage, V, that is based on the impedance times the current, I(e.g., V=Z×I).

Similar to certain previous diagrams, this diagram shows a drive-sensecircuit 28 and one or more processing modules 42. In this diagram, thedrive-sense circuit 28 is configured to drive an LED drive signal via asingle line to an LED 3410 and simultaneously to sense that LED drivesignal via the single line. During positive portions of the LED drivesignal, the LED 3410 operates as a source emitting photons. Duringnegative portions of the LED drive signal, the LED 3410 operates as asensor detecting photons incident on the LED 3410. Note that the LEDdrive signal may have any desired form. For example, any desiredwaveform with respective positive and negative portions having anydesired shape/form may be driven and sensed by the drive-sense circuit28. Note also that the LED drive signal need not be periodic, and thepositive and/or negative portions thereof need not be of uniform timedurations.

Among other features and aspects of the drive-sense circuit 28, thesensitivity of the drive-sense circuit 28 and its ability to detectextremely small signals even in situations of very low signal to noiseratio (SNR) allows the single component, the LED 3410, to be operatedsupporting both LED and PD functionality. In general, note that thecomponent may be the LED 3410 or alternatively a PD.

FIG. 35 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment 3500 of drivesignals in accordance with the present invention. This diagram showsmultiple examples of various drive signals that may be used as LED drivesignals or generally any drive signal provided from a drive-sensecircuit 28. Examples of such signals include a sinusoidal signal, asquare wave signal, a triangular wave signal, a multiple level signal, apolygonal signal, etc.

An example of a multiple level signal is a signal that transitionsbetween different respective levels as a function of time. As can beseen on the right-hand side of the diagram in the middle, a multiplelevel signal transitions between different levels have respective times,and the durations of time when the multiple level signal is at suchdifferent values may be nonuniform. An example of a polygonal signal isa signal having a positive portion in a negative portion, that whencombined, form a polygonal shape. For example, on the bottom left of thediagram, a polygonal signal based on a pentagon is shown. On the bottomright of the diagram a polygonal signal based on a hexagon is shown. Ingeneral, within a given period of time or periodicity, the area underthe curve of the respective positive portions and negative portions of apolygonal signal will be equal (e.g., with respect to any DC offset,which may be 0 in some instances).

Note that any combination, superposition, etc. of any number of anytypes of signals may be used to form a drive signal to be provided froma drive-sense circuit 28. For example, any desired number of differentsignals of different shape, periodicity, frequency, phase,amplitude/magnitude, DC offset, etc. may be used to form a drive signalto be provided to a drive-sense circuit 28.

FIG. 36 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment 3600 of an opticaldevice operating as both a source and a detector in accordance with thepresent invention. Similar to certain previous diagrams, this diagramshows the LED 3410, a drive-sense circuit 28, and one or more processingmodules 42. The drive-sense circuit 28 is configured to drive an LEDdrive signal via a single line to the LED 3410 and simultaneously tosense that LED drive signal via the single line. Again, note that a PDmay be implemented in place of the LED 3410.

A single component drive signal (e.g., an LED/PD drive signal) includesone or more positive signal portions and one or more negative signalportions. Again, note that any one or more types of signals having anyone or more characteristics may be used to form a drive signal to beprovided from a drive-sense circuit 28. Note also that the one or morepositive signal portions need not be similar in form, type, etc. as theone or more negative signal portions.

As can be seen with respect to the waveform on the bottom right of thediagram, a drive-sense circuit 28 is configured to drive a singlecomponent during the one or more positive signal portions of the singlecomponent drive signal and to detect with that single component duringone or more negative signal portions of this single component drivesignal.

FIG. 37A is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment 3701 of anoptical device operating as both a source and a detector in accordancewith the present invention. This diagram shows a single LED that isconfigured to operate as a source and/or sensor. For example, the singleLED is configured to operate as a source emitting light and also tooperate as a touch sensor. A single LED may be configured to operate asa button with respect to a touch sensor device.

FIG. 37B is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment 3702 of opticaldevices operating as sources and detectors in accordance with thepresent invention. This diagram shows at least two different opticalcomponents adjacently- and/or closely-located to one another. Both ofthe optical components are LEDs. One of the LEDs operates as a source,and the other of the LEDs operates as a sensor. The LED that operates asthe source provides at least some light that is used by the LED thatoperates as the sensor. Note that the LED that operates as the sourceand the LED that operates as the sensor may operate alternatively withrespect to one another (e.g., the LED that operates as the source duringa respective positive cycle of a first drive signal driving it, and theLED that operates as the sensor during a respective negative cycle of asecond drive signal driving it, such that the respective positive cycleof the first drive signal and the respective negative cycle of thesecond drive signal aligned, at least in part, with respect to oneanother temporally).

In an example of operation and implementation, light that is emittedfrom the LED that operates as the source and the LED operates as thesensor (e.g., based on light that is incident upon the LED) and isaffected such as based on a proximal touch (e.g., an actual physicalcontact or a near physical contact from a person interacting with theadjacently- and/or closely-located LEDs).

FIG. 37C is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment 3703 of opticaldevices operating as sources and detectors in accordance with thepresent invention. This diagram shows a number of LEDs that areadjacently- and/or closely-located. Note that any combination of sourcesand or sensors may be implemented. Consider this combination of 3 or 5LEDs. For example, a first number (e.g., 1 or 2) of the LEDs isimplemented to operate as sources, and a second number (e.g., 4 or 3) ofthe LEDs is implemented to operate as sensors. Note also that anyindividual LED may be implemented to operate as both a source and asensor (e.g., as an LED and also as a PD).

FIG. 37D is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment 3704 of opticaldevices operating as sources and detectors in accordance with thepresent invention. In general, any desired pattern of LEDs may beimplemented such that some of the LEDs operate only as LEDs, someoperate as both LEDs and PDs, and/or some operate only as PDs. In thisdiagram, the top row and the top rope of LEDs operate as LEDs, and themiddle row of LEDs operates as PDs.

FIG. 37E is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment 3705 of opticaldevices operating as sources and detectors in accordance with thepresent invention. In this diagram, the top, middle, and bottom rowsoperate as LEDs, and the other rows include LEDs that alternatinglyoperate as LED and PD. Considering the 5 rows numbered 1-5 from top tobottom, rows 1, 3, and 5 operate as LEDs. Rows 2 and 4 include LEDs thatalternatingly operate as LED and PD.

In general, note that any desired pattern and placement of LEDs and/orPDs may be implemented within a device. Any one of those components maybe implemented to operate as an LED, a PD, or both as an LED and a PD.

The following diagrams generally show the relative size, spacing, pixelpitch, etc. and characteristics of when comparing some different typesof light sources (e.g., light emitting diode (LED), organic lightemitting diode (OLED), mini-LED, and micro-LED).

FIG. 38A is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment 3801 of a type ofoptical device in accordance with the present invention. This diagramshows adjacently located LEDs and the respective pixel pitch betweenthem. In general, the pixel pitch of an LED implemented device isgreater than 1 mm. Depending on the application, whether indoor oroutdoor, and depending on the size of the device, the pixel pitch mayvary.

Considering some examples, in an indoor implemented device, the pixelpitch may range from 4 to 20 mm. In an outdoor implemented device, thepixel pitch may range from 6 to 25 mm. In a large billboard implementeddevice, the pixel pitch may range from 25 to 32 mm.

FIG. 38B is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment 3802 of a type ofoptical device in accordance with the present invention. This diagramshows adjacently located mini-LEDs and the respective pixel pitchbetween them. In general, the pixel pitch of a mini-LED implementeddevice is less than 1 mm. Some examples of pixel pitch of a mini-LEDimplemented device may range from 0.75 to 0.9 mm.

FIG. 38C is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment 3803 of a type ofoptical device in accordance with the present invention. This diagramshows adjacently located micro-LEDs and the respective pixel pitchbetween them. In general, a micro-LED structure is implemented as an LEDmatrix/array on a wafer surface. For example, considering a 2×3micro-LED matrix/array including six optical components, they may beimplemented based on a R (red), G (green), B (blue) pattern. In general,the pixel pitch of a micro-LED implemented device is less than 1 mm aswell. Some examples of a micro-LED implemented device may includeapproximately 600 dots per inch (dpi). Also, the size of the individualoptical devices within such a micro-LED structure is very small. Someexamples include individual optical devices that are under 100micrometers. Other examples may include 12 micron elements with 15micron spacing between.

In general, any type of optical device having the capability andfunctionality to operate both as a source of the sensor may be driven bya drive-sense circuit 28 and operated as both a source and a sensorthereby. The drive-sense circuit 28 is configured to drive a signal tothat optical device and simultaneously to sense that signal.

FIG. 39A is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment 3901 of afingerprint sensor in accordance with the present invention. Asdescribed herein, an optical device (e.g., LED, OLED, mini-LED,micro-LED, etc.) may be implemented to operate as both a source and asensor based on its operation with a drive-sense circuit 28. A number ofoptical devices may be implemented to operate as a fingerprint sensor.Such optical devices of the display may be implemented using any of anumber of different types of means (e.g., LED, OLED, mini-LED,micro-LED, etc.). Any one or more of the optical devices may beimplemented to operate as both a source and a sensor. In an example ofoperation and implementation, a number of optical devices is implementedto operate as a display (e.g., Such that the optical devices operate assources). In addition, some or all of the optical devices of the displayare also implemented to operate as sensors. Multiple optical devices,when operating cooperatively as sensors, are configured to generate animage of that which is exposed to the display.

In one example, at least a portion of the optical devices of the displayoperate as a sensor. In a specific example, they operate as afingerprint sensor. In a particular example, given the extremely closeproximity by which the optical devices of a micro-LED can beimplemented, a micro-LED implemented device that is implemented on topof wafer may be implemented as a fingerprint sensor.

FIG. 39B is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment 3902 of ahandprint sensor in accordance with the present invention. Similar tothe previous diagram, at least a portion of the optical devices of thedisplay operate as a sensor. For a sufficiently large display, it mayoperate as a handprint sensor (e.g., provided it is sufficiently largefor a hand to be placed there off). In general, a display of any type ofsize having any number of optical devices may be configured operate bothas a display and as a sensor.

FIG. 40A is a schematic block diagram illustrating an embodiment of amethod 4001 for execution by one or more devices in accordance with thepresent invention. The method 4001 operates in step 4010 by transmittinga signal to a component that supports both LED and PD functionality.Such a component may itself be an LED or a PD. In one specific example,the single component is an LED, an OLED, a mini-LED, a micro-LED, oranother optical device that has the capability and functionality tooperate both as a light source and a sensor.

The method 4001, when performing this step 4010, also operates byoperating the component as an LED during one or more positive signalportions in step 4012 and by operating the component as a PD during oneor more negative signal portions in step 4014.

FIG. 40B is a schematic block diagram illustrating an embodiment of amethod 4002 for execution by one or more devices in accordance with thepresent invention. The method 4002 operates in step 4011 by generatingone or more positive signal portions. The method 4002 operates in step4021 by generating one or more negative signal portions.

The method 4002 operates in step 4031 by generating a single componentsignal (e.g., an LED/PD drive signal). The method 4002 operates in step4041 by transmitting the single component signal to a component thatsupports both LED and PD functionality. Such a component may itself bean LED or a PD. In one specific example, the single component is an LED,an OLED, a mini-LED, a micro-LED, or another optical device that has thecapability and functionality to operate both as a light source and asensor.

The method 4002, when performing this step 4041, also operates byoperating the component as an LED during one or more positive signalportions in step 4043 and by operating the component as a PD during oneor more negative signal portions in step 4045.

FIG. 41 is a schematic block diagram 4100 illustrating an embodiment ofa display simultaneously operating as a camera in accordance with thepresent invention. In this diagram, a display that includes a number ofoptical devices is configured to operate as a camera. Note that thedisplay may also be configured to perform simultaneous display andcamera operations. The display may be implemented using any of a numberof different types of means (e.g., LED, OLED, mini-LED, micro-LED,etc.). The respective optical devices are driven using one or moredrive-sense circuits 28.

Considering a single optical device of the display, as can be seen withrespect to the waveform on the bottom right of the diagram, adrive-sense circuit 28 is configured to drive a single component duringthe one or more positive signal portions of the single component drivesignal and to detect with that single component during one or morenegative signal portions of this single component drive signal.

Considering multiple optical devices of the display, during the one ormore negative signal portions of the respective single component drivesignals provided to those multiple optical devices of the display, animage of that which is exposed to the display is generated (e.g.,including a person, a portion of a person, the environment/background inview/range of the display, etc.). As with respect to a fingerprintsensor or a handprint sensor, when a display is implemented to operateas a camera, multiple optical devices, when operating cooperatively assensors, are configured to generate an image of that which is exposed tothe display. Again, note that the display is configured to operate as adisplay during the one or more positive signal portions of therespective component drive signals provided to the optical devices ofthe display and to operate as a camera during the one or more negativesignal portions of the respective component drive signals provided tothe optical devices of the display. The one or more drive-sense circuits28 allow the respective optical devices of the display to be operated asboth sources and sensors (e.g., LEDs and PDs).

FIG. 42 is a schematic block diagram 4200 illustrating an embodiment ofa display simultaneously operating as a camera in accordance with thepresent invention. In this diagram, different respective subsets ofoptical devices of the display are respectively operated such that whenoptical components of a first subset of the display operate as sources,optical components of a second subset of the display operate as sensors,and vice versa.

For example, consider a cross-section portion of the display asincluding a first subset of the display that includes first opticalcomponents and a second subset of the display that includes secondoptical components. Note that any desired pattern may be used topartition the respective optical components of the display into thefirst subset of the display in the second subset of the display. Onepossible pattern includes a checkered pattern that is based on anoptical component by optical component basis (e.g., as shown on the topmiddle portion of the diagram). Another possible pattern includes analternative checkered pattern that is based on a 2×2 optical componentby 2×2 optical component basis (e.g., as shown on the top right portionof the diagram). In general, other possible patterns include othercheckered patterns that are based on a n×n optical component by n×noptical component basis, where n is a positive integer greater thanequal to 3. Note also that none symmetric checkered patterns mayalternatively be used (e.g., checkered patterns that are based on a n×moptical component by n×m optical component basis, where n and m arepositive integers greater than or equal to 1).

Considering a single optical device of the first subset of the displaythat includes first optical components, as can be seen with respect tothe waveform on the middle right of the diagram, a drive-sense circuit28 is configured to drive a single component during the one or morepositive signal portions of the single component drive signal and todetect with that single component during one or more negative signalportions of this single component drive signal.

Considering a single optical device of the second subset of the displaythat includes second optical components, as can be seen with respect tothe waveform on the middle right of the diagram, a drive-sense circuit28 is configured to drive a single component during the one or morepositive signal portions of the single component drive signal and todetect with that single component during one or more negative signalportions of this single component drive signal. Note that the one ormore positive signal portions of this single component drive signal(e.g., that drives a single optical device of the first subset of thedisplay that includes second optical components) coincide temporarilywith the one or more negative signal portions of the single componentdrive signal that drives a single optical device of the first subset ofthe display that includes first optical components.

As can be seen, when the first subset of the display that includes firstoptical components are being driven to operate as sources, the secondsubset of the display that includes second optical components are beingdriven to operate as sensors. At any given instant in time, at least aportion of the display is operating as a source while at least anotherportion of the display is operating as a sensor. The display isoperating at all times as both a source and a sensor. In general, notethat any desired number of subsets of the display that includerespective optical components thereof may operate in such a manner suchthat at least one of the subsets of the display is operating in a sourcewhile at least one other of the subsets of the display is operating as asensor.

FIG. 43A is a schematic block diagram illustrating an embodiment of amethod 4301 for execution by one or more devices in accordance with thepresent invention. The method 4301 operates in step 4310 by operatingLEDs of the display as an output device by driving LEDs of the displayusing one or more positive signal portions. The method 4301 operates instep 4320 by operating LEDs of the display as a camera by driving theLEDs of the display using one or more negative signal portions.

FIG. 43B is a schematic block diagram illustrating an embodiment of amethod 4302 for execution by one or more devices in accordance with thepresent invention. The method 4302 operates in step 4311 by operating afirst subset of LEDs of the display as an output device by driving thefirst subset of LEDs of the display using one or more positive signalportions. The method 4302 operates in step 4321 by operating a secondsubset of LEDs of the display as a camera by driving the second subsetof LEDs of the display using one or more negative signal portions. Notethat the steps 4311 and 4321 performed simultaneously.

The method 4302 operates in step 4331 by operating a first subset ofLEDs of the display as a camera by driving the first subset of LEDs ofthe display using one or more negative signal portions. The method 4302operates in step 4341 by operating the second subset of LEDs of thedisplay as an output device by driving the second subset of LEDs of thedisplay using one or more positive signal portions. Note that the steps4331 and 4341 are performed simultaneously.

FIG. 44 is a schematic block diagram 4400 of an embodiment of anacoustic device operating as both a source and a detector in accordancewith the present invention. An acoustic source device (e.g., such as aspeaker) emits acoustic waves when an appropriate current is passedthrough it. At the top left of the diagram, a speaker circuitry includesa voltage source that is applied to a speaker. If desired, an impedance(Z, which may include resistive (e.g., such as from a resistor, R)and/or reactive (e.g., such as from an inductor, L and/or capacitor, C)may be employed to limit the amount of current passing through thespeaker.

An acoustic sensor device (e.g., such as a microphone) detects acousticwaves incident on it when an appropriate current is passed through it.At the top right of the diagram, a microphone circuitry includes avoltage source that is applied to it. If desired, an impedance (shown asa Z) may be employed to limit the amount of current passing through themicrophone.

Similar to certain previous diagrams, this diagram shows a drive-sensecircuit 28 and one or more processing modules 42. In this diagram, thedrive-sense circuit 28 is configured to drive an acoustic drive signalvia a single line to an acoustic device 4410 and simultaneously to sensethat acoustic drive signal via the single line. During positive portionsof the acoustic drive signal, the acoustic device 4410 (e.g., a speaker,a microphone, etc.) operates as a source emitting acoustic waves. Duringnegative portions of the acoustic drive signal, the acoustic device 4410operates as a sensor detecting acoustic waves incident on the acousticdevice 4410. Note that the acoustic drive signal may have any desiredform. For example, any desired waveform with respective positive andnegative portions having any desired shape/form may be driven and sensedby the drive-sense circuit 28. Note also that the acoustic drive signalneed not be periodic, and the positive and/or negative portions thereofneed not be of uniform time durations.

Among other features and aspects of the drive-sense circuit 28, thesensitivity of the drive-sense circuit 28 and its ability to detectextremely small signals even in situations of very low signal to noiseratio (SNR) allows the single component, the acoustic device 4410, to beoperated supporting both source and detector functionality (e.g.,speaker and microphone functionality). In general, note that theacoustic device 4410 may be any acoustic device that includes thefunctionality and capability to operate as both an acoustic source andan acoustic detector.

FIG. 45 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment 4500 of anacoustic device operating as both a source and a detector in accordancewith the present invention. Similar to certain previous diagrams, thisdiagram shows the acoustic device 4410, a drive-sense circuit 28, andone or more processing modules 42. The drive-sense circuit 28 isconfigured to drive an acoustic drive signal via a single line to theacoustic device 4410 and simultaneously to sense that acoustic drivesignal via the single line. Note that the acoustic device 4410 may beimplemented as a speaker, as a microphone, etc. and/or generally as anyacoustic device that includes the functionality and capability tooperate as both an acoustic source and an acoustic detector.

A single component drive signal (e.g., an acoustic wave TX/RX drivesignal) includes one or more positive signal portions and one or morenegative signal portions. Again, note that any one or more types ofsignals having any one or more characteristics may be used to form adrive signal to be provided from a drive-sense circuit 28. Note alsothat the one or more positive signal portions need not be similar inform, type, etc. as the one or more negative signal portions.

As can be seen with respect to the waveform on the bottom right of thediagram, a drive-sense circuit 28 is configured to drive a singlecomponent during the one or more positive signal portions of the singlecomponent drive signal and to detect with that single component duringone or more negative signal portions of this single component drivesignal. In some examples, a drive-sense circuit 28 is configured todrive a single component during one or more positive and negative signalportions of the single component drive signal and to detect with thatsingle component during the one or more positive and negative signalportions of this single component drive signal.

In addition, note that any desired application using acoustic waves maybe implemented using an acoustic device operating as both a source and adetector in cooperation with a drive-sense circuit 28 that is configuredto drive a signal to such an acoustic device and simultaneously todetect the signal and/or any other signals associated with the acousticdevice. For example, an acoustic wave ranging system that transmitsacoustic waves and detects the reflected waves may be implemented usingone or more acoustic devices operating as both one or more sources andone or more detectors (e.g., Sound Navigation And Ranging (SONAR)).

FIG. 46A is a schematic block diagram illustrating an embodiment of amethod 4601 for execution by one or more devices in accordance with thepresent invention. The method 4601 operates in step 4610 by transmittinga signal to a component that includes the functionality and capabilityto operate as both a source and a detector (e.g., as an acoustic sourceand as an acoustic detector, as a speaker and as a microphone, etc.).Such a component may itself be a speaker or a microphone. In general,the acoustic device that has the capability and functionality to operateboth as an acoustic source and an acoustic sensor.

The method 4601, when performing this step 4610, also operates byoperating the component as an acoustic wave transmitter (TX) during oneor more positive signal portions in step 4612 and by operating thecomponent as an acoustic wave receiver (RX) during one or more negativesignal portions in step 4614.

FIG. 46B is a schematic block diagram illustrating an embodiment of amethod 4602 for execution by one or more devices in accordance with thepresent invention. The method 4602 operates in step 4611 by generatingone or more positive signal portions. The method 4602 operates in step4621 by generating one or more negative signal portions.

The method 4602 operates in step 4631 by generating a single componentsignal (e.g., an acoustic wave TX/RX drive signal). The method 4602operates in step 4641 by transmitting the single component signal to acomponent that supports both acoustic source and acoustic sensorfunctionality. Such a component may itself be a speaker or a microphone.In one specific example, the single component is a speaker. In anotherspecific example, the single component is a microphone. The singlecomponent may be another acoustic device that has the capability andfunctionality to operate both an acoustic source and an acoustic sensor.

The method 4602, when performing this step 4641, also operates byoperating the component as an acoustic wave transmitter (TX) during oneor more positive signal portions in step 4643 and by operating thecomponent as an acoustic wave receiver (RX) during one or more negativesignal portions in step 4645.

FIG. 47 is a schematic block diagram 4700 of an embodiment of anacoustic device operating as both a source and a detector in accordancewith the present invention. An acoustic source device 4710 emitsacoustic waves and/or receives acoustic waves when an appropriatecurrent is passed through it. At the top left of the diagram, anacoustic device circuitry includes a voltage source that is applied to aspeaker. If desired, an impedance (shown as Z, which may includeresistive (e.g., such as from a resistor, R) and/or reactive (e.g., suchas from an inductor, L and/or capacitor, C) may be employed to limit theamount of current passing through the speaker.

Similar to certain previous diagrams, this diagram shows a drive-sensecircuit 28 and one or more processing modules 42. In this diagram, thedrive-sense circuit 28 is configured to drive an acoustic drive signalvia a single line to an acoustic device 4710 and simultaneously to sensethat acoustic drive signal via the single line.

Note that any received acoustic is also coupled into the acoustic drivesignal that is being driven and sensed via the single line. As such,during both respective positive and negative portions of the acousticdrive signal, the drive-sense circuit 28 is configured to drive theacoustic drive signal via the single line to the acoustic source device4710 and simultaneously to sense that acoustic drive signal via thesingle line. The acoustic device 4410 operates as a source emittingacoustic waves and simultaneously operates as a sensor detectingacoustic waves incident on the acoustic device 4710. Note that theacoustic drive signal may have any desired form. For example, anydesired waveform with respective positive and negative portions havingany desired shape/form may be driven and sensed by the drive-sensecircuit 28. Note also that the acoustic drive signal need not beperiodic, and the positive and/or negative portions thereof need not beof uniform time durations.

Among other features and aspects of the drive-sense circuit 28, thesensitivity of the drive-sense circuit 28 and its ability to detectextremely small signals even in situations of very low signal to noiseratio (SNR) allows the single component, the acoustic device 4410, to beoperated supporting both source and detector functionality (e.g.,speaker and microphone functionality). In general, note that theacoustic device 4410 may be any acoustic device that includes thefunctionality and capability to operate as both an acoustic source andan acoustic detector.

FIG. 48 is a schematic block diagram 4800 of an embodiment of anelectromagnetic wave device operating as both a source and a detector inaccordance with the present invention. An electromagnetic (EM) wavesource device (e.g., such as an antenna, antennas, an antenna array,etc.) emits EM waves when an appropriate current is passed through it.At the top left of the diagram, a radar circuitry includes a voltagesource that is applied to an EM wave source device (e.g., such as anantenna, antennas, an antenna array, etc.). If desired, an impedance(shown as Z, which may include resistive (e.g., such as from a resistor,R) and/or reactive (e.g., such as from an inductor, L and/or capacitor,C) may be employed to limit the amount of current passing through the EMwave source device.

An EM wave sensor device (e.g., such as an antenna, antennas, an antennaarray, etc.) detects EM waves incident on it when an appropriate currentis passed through it. At the top right of the diagram, a radar circuitryincludes a voltage source that is applied to the EM wave source device(e.g., such as an antenna, antennas, an antenna array, etc.). Ifdesired, an impedance (shown as Z, which may include resistive (e.g.,such as from a resistor, R) and/or reactive (e.g., such as from aninductor, L and/or capacitor, C) may be employed to limit the amount ofcurrent passing through the EM wave sensor device.

Similar to certain previous diagrams, this diagram shows a drive-sensecircuit 28 and one or more processing modules 42. In this diagram, thedrive-sense circuit 28 is configured to drive an EM wave drive signalvia a single line to an antenna 4810 and simultaneously to sense that EMwave drive signal via the single line. During positive portions of theEM wave drive signal, the antenna 4810 (e.g., alt. antennas, an antennaarray, etc.) operates as a source emitting EM waves. During negativeportions of the EM wave drive signal, the antenna 4810 operates as asensor detecting EM waves incident on the antenna 4810. Note that the EMwave drive signal may have any desired form. For example, any desiredwaveform with respective positive and negative portions having anydesired shape/form may be driven and sensed by the drive-sense circuit28. Note also that the EM wave drive signal need not be periodic, andthe positive and/or negative portions thereof need not be of uniformtime durations.

Among other features and aspects of the drive-sense circuit 28, thesensitivity of the drive-sense circuit 28 and its ability to detectextremely small signals even in situations of very low signal to noiseratio (SNR) allows the single component, the antenna 4810, to beoperated supporting both source and detector functionality (e.g., anantenna, antennas, an antenna array, etc.). In general, note that theantenna 4810 may be any EM wave device that includes the functionalityand capability to operate as both an EM wave source and an EM wavedetector.

FIG. 49 is a schematic block diagram 4900 of an embodiment of anelectromagnetic wave device operating as both a source and a detector inaccordance with the present invention. Similar to certain previousdiagrams, this diagram shows an antenna 4810, a drive-sense circuit 28,and one or more processing modules 42. The drive-sense circuit 28 isconfigured to drive an electromagnetic (EM) wave drive signal via asingle line to the antenna 4710 and simultaneously to sense that EM wavedrive signal via the single line. Note that the antenna 4710 may beimplemented as a singular antenna, antennas, an antenna array, etc.and/or generally as any EM wave device that includes the functionalityand capability to operate as both an EM wave source and an EM wavedetector including antennas of any types of design, shape,characteristic, etc.

A single component drive signal (e.g., an EM wave TX/RX drive signal)includes one or more positive signal portions and one or more negativesignal portions. Again, note that any one or more types of signalshaving any one or more characteristics may be used to form a drivesignal to be provided from a drive-sense circuit 28. Note also that theone or more positive signal portions need not be similar in form, type,etc. as the one or more negative signal portions.

As can be seen with respect to the waveform on the bottom right of thediagram, a drive-sense circuit 28 is configured to drive a singlecomponent during the one or more positive signal portions of the singlecomponent drive signal and to detect with that single component duringone or more negative signal portions of this single component drivesignal. In some examples, a drive-sense circuit 28 is configured todrive a single component during one or more positive and negative signalportions of the single component drive signal and to detect with thatsingle component during the one or more positive and negative signalportions of this single component drive signal.

In addition, note that any desired application using EM waves may beimplemented using an EM wave device operating as both a source and adetector in cooperation with a drive-sense circuit 28 that is configuredto drive a signal to such an EM wave device and simultaneously to detectthe signal and/or any other signals associated with the EM wave device.For example, an EM wave ranging system that transmits EM waves anddetects the reflected waves may be implemented using one or more EM wavedevices operating as both one or more sources and one or more detectors(e.g., Radio Detection and Ranging (RADAR)).

FIG. 50A is a schematic block diagram illustrating an embodiment of amethod for execution by one or more devices in accordance with thepresent invention.

The method 5001 operates in step S010 by transmitting a signal to acomponent that includes the functionality and capability to operate asboth a source and a detector (e.g., as an electromagnetic (EM) wavesource and as an electromagnetic (EM) wave detector, such as an antenna,antennas, an antenna array, etc.). In general, the EM device that hasthe capability and functionality to operate both as an EM wave sourceand an EM wave sensor.

The method 5001, when performing this step S010, also operates byoperating the component as an EM wave transmitter (TX) during one ormore positive signal portions in step S012 and by operating thecomponent as an EM wave receiver (RX) during one or more negative signalportions in step S014.

FIG. 50B is a schematic block diagram illustrating an embodiment of amethod for execution by one or more devices in accordance with thepresent invention. The method 5002 operates in step S011 by generatingone or more positive signal portions. The method 5002 operates in stepS021 by generating one or more negative signal portions.

The method 5002 operates in step S031 by generating a single componentsignal (e.g., an electromagnetic (EM) wave TX/RX drive signal). Themethod 5002 operates in step S041 by transmitting the single componentsignal to a component that supports both EM source and EM sensorfunctionality. Such a component may itself be an antenna, antennas, anantenna array, etc. The single component may be any EM wave device thathas the capability and functionality to operate both an EM wave sourceand an EM wave sensor.

The method 5002, when performing this step S041, also operates byoperating the component as an EM wave transmitter (TX) during one ormore positive signal portions in step S043 and by operating thecomponent as an EM wave receiver (RX) during one or more negative signalportions in step S045.

FIG. 51 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a radiofrequency (RF) device operating as both a source and a detector inaccordance with the present invention. An RF source device (e.g., suchas an antenna, antennas, an antenna array, etc.) transmits and/orreceives RF signals when an appropriate current is passed through it. Atthe top left of the diagram, an RF circuitry includes a voltage sourcethat is applied to one or more antennas (e.g., such as an antenna,antennas, an antenna array, etc.) to facilitate transmission and/orreceiving of RF signals. If desired, an impedance (shown as Z, which mayinclude resistive (e.g., such as from a resistor, R) and/or reactive(e.g., such as from an inductor, L and/or capacitor, C) may be employedto limit the amount of current passing through the one or more antennas.

Similar to certain previous diagrams, this diagram shows a drive-sensecircuit 28 and one or more processing modules 42. In this diagram, thedrive-sense circuit 28 is configured to drive an RF drive signal via asingle line to one or more antennas 5110 (e.g., such as an antenna,antennas, an antenna array, etc.) and simultaneously to sense that RFdrive signal via the single line. Note that any received RF signal isalso coupled into the RF drive signal that is being driven and sensedvia the single line. As such, during both respective positive andnegative portions of the RF drive signal, the drive-sense circuit 28 isconfigured to drive the RF drive signal via the single line to the oneor more antennas 5110 and simultaneously to sense that RF drive signalvia the single line.

Note that the RF drive signal may have any desired form. For example,any desired waveform with respective positive and negative portionshaving any desired shape/form may be driven and sensed by thedrive-sense circuit 28. Note also that the RF drive signal need not beperiodic, and the positive and/or negative portions thereof need not beof uniform time durations.

Among other features and aspects of the drive-sense circuit 28, thesensitivity of the drive-sense circuit 28 and its ability to detectextremely small signals even in situations of very low signal to noiseratio (SNR) allows the single component, the one or more antennas 5110,to be operated supporting both source and detector functionality (e.g.,an antenna, antennas, an antenna array, etc.). In general, note that theone or more antennas 5110 may be any RF device that includes thefunctionality and capability to operate as both an RF signal source andan RF signal detector.

FIG. 52 is a schematic block diagram 5200 of an embodiment of aninput/output (I/O) device operating as both a source and a detector inaccordance with the present invention. An input/output (I/O) deviceoperates as an output device when an appropriate current is passedthrough it in one direction and operates as an input device when anappropriate current is passed through it in the other direction. At thetop of the diagram, input/output (I/O) device circuitry includes avoltage source that is applied to an input/output (I/O) device. Ifdesired, an impedance (shown as Z, which may include resistive (e.g.,such as from a resistor, R) and/or reactive (e.g., such as from aninductor, L and/or capacitor, C) may be employed to limit the amount ofcurrent passing through the input/output (I/O) device.

Similar to certain previous diagrams, this diagram shows a drive-sensecircuit 28 and one or more processing modules 42. In this diagram, thedrive-sense circuit 28 is configured to drive an input/output (I/O)device drive signal via a single line to an input/output (I/O) device5110 and simultaneously to sense that input/output (I/O) device drivesignal via the single line. During positive portions of the input/output(I/O) device drive signal, the input/output (I/O) device 5110 operatesas an output device. During negative portions of the input/output (I/O)device drive signal, the input/output (I/O) device 5110 operates as aninput device. Note that the input/output (I/O) device drive signal mayhave any desired form. For example, any desired waveform with respectivepositive and negative portions having any desired shape/form may bedriven and sensed by the drive-sense circuit 28. Note also that theinput/output (I/O) device drive signal need not be periodic, and thepositive and/or negative portions thereof need not be of uniform timedurations.

Among other features and aspects of the drive-sense circuit 28, thesensitivity of the drive-sense circuit 28 and its ability to detectextremely small signals even in situations of very low signal to noiseratio (SNR) allows the single component, the input/output (I/O) device5110, to be operated supporting both output device and input devicefunctionality. In general, note that the input/output (I/O) device 5110may be any device that includes the functionality and capability tooperate as both an output device and an input device (e.g., as a sourceand as a detector).

FIG. 53 is a schematic block diagram 5300 of an embodiment of aninput/output (I/O) device operating as both a source and a detector inaccordance with the present invention. Similar to certain previousdiagrams, this diagram shows the input/output (I/O) device 5210, adrive-sense circuit 28, and one or more processing modules 42. Thedrive-sense circuit 28 is configured to drive an input/output (I/O)device drive signal via a single line to the input/output (I/O) device5010 and simultaneously to sense that input/output (I/O) device drivesignal via the single line. Note that the input/output (I/O) device 5010may be implemented as any device that includes the functionality andcapability to operate as both an output device and an input device(e.g., as a source and as a detector).

A single component drive signal (e.g., an input/output (I/O) devicedrive signal) includes one or more positive signal portions and one ormore negative signal portions. Again, note that any one or more types ofsignals having any one or more characteristics may be used to form adrive signal to be provided from a drive-sense circuit 28. Note alsothat the one or more positive signal portions need not be similar inform, type, etc. as the one or more negative signal portions.

As can be seen with respect to the waveform on the bottom right of thediagram, a drive-sense circuit 28 is configured to drive a singlecomponent during the one or more positive signal portions of the singlecomponent drive signal and to detect with that single component duringone or more negative signal portions of this single component drivesignal. In some examples, a drive-sense circuit 28 is configured todrive a single component during one or more positive and negative signalportions of the single component drive signal and to detect with thatsingle component during the one or more positive and negative signalportions of this single component drive signal.

FIG. 54A is a schematic block diagram illustrating an embodiment of amethod 5401 for execution by one or more devices in accordance with thepresent invention. The method 5401 operates in step S410 by transmittinga signal to a component that includes the functionality and capabilityto operate as both as both an output device and an input device (e.g.,as a source and as a detector).

The method 5401, when performing this step S410, also operates byoperating the component as an output device during one or more positivesignal portions in step S412 and by operating the component as an inputdevice during one or more negative signal portions in step S414.

FIG. 54B is a schematic block diagram illustrating an embodiment of amethod 5402 for execution by one or more devices in accordance with thepresent invention. The method 5402 operates in step S411 by generatingone or more positive signal portions. The method 5402 operates in stepS421 by generating one or more negative signal portions.

The method 5402 operates in step S431 by generating a single componentsignal (e.g., an input/output (I/O) device drive signal). The method5402 operates in step S441 by transmitting the single component signalto a component that that includes the functionality and capability tooperate as both an output device and an input device (e.g., as a sourceand as a detector).

The method 5402, when performing this step S441, also operates byoperating the component as an output device during one or more positivesignal portions in step S443 and by operating the component as an inputdevice during one or more negative signal portions in step S445.

It is noted that terminologies as may be used herein such as bit stream,stream, signal sequence, etc. (or their equivalents) have been usedinterchangeably to describe digital information whose contentcorresponds to any of a number of desired types (e.g., data, video,speech, text, graphics, audio, etc. any of which may generally bereferred to as ‘data’).

As may be used herein, the terms “substantially” and “approximately”provide an industry-accepted tolerance for its corresponding term and/orrelativity between items. For some industries, an industry-acceptedtolerance is less than one percent and, for other industries, theindustry-accepted tolerance is 10 percent or more. Other examples ofindustry-accepted tolerance range from less than one percent to fiftypercent. Industry-accepted tolerances correspond to, but are not limitedto, component values, integrated circuit process variations, temperaturevariations, rise and fall times, thermal noise, dimensions, signalingerrors, dropped packets, temperatures, pressures, material compositions,and/or performance metrics. Within an industry, tolerance variances ofaccepted tolerances may be more or less than a percentage level (e.g.,dimension tolerance of less than +/−1%). Some relativity between itemsmay range from a difference of less than a percentage level to a fewpercent. Other relativity between items may range from a difference of afew percent to magnitude of differences.

As may also be used herein, the term(s) “configured to”, “operablycoupled to”, “coupled to”, and/or “coupling” includes direct couplingbetween items and/or indirect coupling between items via an interveningitem (e.g., an item includes, but is not limited to, a component, anelement, a circuit, and/or a module) where, for an example of indirectcoupling, the intervening item does not modify the information of asignal but may adjust its current level, voltage level, and/or powerlevel. As may further be used herein, inferred coupling (i.e., where oneelement is coupled to another element by inference) includes direct andindirect coupling between two items in the same manner as “coupled to”.

As may even further be used herein, the term “configured to”, “operableto”, “coupled to”, or “operably coupled to” indicates that an itemincludes one or more of power connections, input(s), output(s), etc., toperform, when activated, one or more its corresponding functions and mayfurther include inferred coupling to one or more other items. As maystill further be used herein, the term “associated with”, includesdirect and/or indirect coupling of separate items and/or one item beingembedded within another item.

As may be used herein, the term “compares favorably”, indicates that acomparison between two or more items, signals, etc., provides a desiredrelationship. For example, when the desired relationship is that signal1 has a greater magnitude than signal 2, a favorable comparison may beachieved when the magnitude of signal 1 is greater than that of signal 2or when the magnitude of signal 2 is less than that of signal 1. As maybe used herein, the term “compares unfavorably”, indicates that acomparison between two or more items, signals, etc., fails to providethe desired relationship.

As may be used herein, one or more claims may include, in a specificform of this generic form, the phrase “at least one of a, b, and c” orof this generic form “at least one of a, b, or c”, with more or lesselements than “a”, “b”, and “c”. In either phrasing, the phrases are tobe interpreted identically. In particular, “at least one of a, b, and c”is equivalent to “at least one of a, b, or c” and shall mean a, b,and/or c. As an example, it means: “a” only, “b” only, “c” only, “a” and“b”, “a” and “c”, “b” and “c”, and/or “a”, “b”, and “c”.

As may also be used herein, the terms “processing module”, “processingcircuit”, “processor”, “processing circuitry”, and/or “processing unit”may be a single processing device or a plurality of processing devices.Such a processing device may be a microprocessor, micro-controller,digital signal processor, microcomputer, central processing unit, fieldprogrammable gate array, programmable logic device, state machine, logiccircuitry, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device thatmanipulates signals (analog and/or digital) based on hard coding of thecircuitry and/or operational instructions. The processing module,module, processing circuit, processing circuitry, and/or processing unitmay be, or further include, memory and/or an integrated memory element,which may be a single memory device, a plurality of memory devices,and/or embedded circuitry of another processing module, module,processing circuit, processing circuitry, and/or processing unit. Such amemory device may be a read-only memory, random access memory, volatilememory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamic memory, flashmemory, cache memory, and/or any device that stores digital information.Note that if the processing module, module, processing circuit,processing circuitry, and/or processing unit includes more than oneprocessing device, the processing devices may be centrally located(e.g., directly coupled together via a wired and/or wireless busstructure) or may be distributedly located (e.g., cloud computing viaindirect coupling via a local area network and/or a wide area network).Further note that if the processing module, module, processing circuit,processing circuitry and/or processing unit implements one or more ofits functions via a state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry,and/or logic circuitry, the memory and/or memory element storing thecorresponding operational instructions may be embedded within, orexternal to, the circuitry comprising the state machine, analogcircuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry. Still further notethat, the memory element may store, and the processing module, module,processing circuit, processing circuitry and/or processing unitexecutes, hard coded and/or operational instructions corresponding to atleast some of the steps and/or functions illustrated in one or more ofthe Figures. Such a memory device or memory element can be included inan article of manufacture.

One or more embodiments have been described above with the aid of methodsteps illustrating the performance of specified functions andrelationships thereof. The boundaries and sequence of these functionalbuilding blocks and method steps have been arbitrarily defined hereinfor convenience of description. Alternate boundaries and sequences canbe defined so long as the specified functions and relationships areappropriately performed. Any such alternate boundaries or sequences arethus within the scope and spirit of the claims. Further, the boundariesof these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined forconvenience of description. Alternate boundaries could be defined aslong as the certain significant functions are appropriately performed.Similarly, flow diagram blocks may also have been arbitrarily definedherein to illustrate certain significant functionality.

To the extent used, the flow diagram block boundaries and sequence couldhave been defined otherwise and still perform the certain significantfunctionality. Such alternate definitions of both functional buildingblocks and flow diagram blocks and sequences are thus within the scopeand spirit of the claims. One of average skill in the art will alsorecognize that the functional building blocks, and other illustrativeblocks, modules and components herein, can be implemented as illustratedor by discrete components, application specific integrated circuits,processors executing appropriate software and the like or anycombination thereof.

In addition, a flow diagram may include a “start” and/or “continue”indication. The “start” and “continue” indications reflect that thesteps presented can optionally be incorporated in or otherwise used inconjunction with one or more other routines. In addition, a flow diagrammay include an “end” and/or “continue” indication. The “end” and/or“continue” indications reflect that the steps presented can end asdescribed and shown or optionally be incorporated in or otherwise usedin conjunction with one or more other routines. In this context, “start”indicates the beginning of the first step presented and may be precededby other activities not specifically shown. Further, the “continue”indication reflects that the steps presented may be performed multipletimes and/or may be succeeded by other activities not specificallyshown. Further, while a flow diagram indicates a particular ordering ofsteps, other orderings are likewise possible provided that theprinciples of causality are maintained.

The one or more embodiments are used herein to illustrate one or moreaspects, one or more features, one or more concepts, and/or one or moreexamples. A physical embodiment of an apparatus, an article ofmanufacture, a machine, and/or of a process may include one or more ofthe aspects, features, concepts, examples, etc. described with referenceto one or more of the embodiments discussed herein. Further, from figureto figure, the embodiments may incorporate the same or similarly namedfunctions, steps, modules, etc. that may use the same or differentreference numbers and, as such, the functions, steps, modules, etc. maybe the same or similar functions, steps, modules, etc. or differentones.

Unless specifically stated to the contra, signals to, from, and/orbetween elements in a figure of any of the figures presented herein maybe analog or digital, continuous time or discrete time, and single-endedor differential. For instance, if a signal path is shown as asingle-ended path, it also represents a differential signal path.Similarly, if a signal path is shown as a differential path, it alsorepresents a single-ended signal path. While one or more particulararchitectures are described herein, other architectures can likewise beimplemented that use one or more data buses not expressly shown, directconnectivity between elements, and/or indirect coupling between otherelements as recognized by one of average skill in the art.

The term “module” is used in the description of one or more of theembodiments. A module implements one or more functions via a device suchas a processor or other processing device or other hardware that mayinclude or operate in association with a memory that stores operationalinstructions. A module may operate independently and/or in conjunctionwith software and/or firmware. As also used herein, a module may containone or more sub-modules, each of which may be one or more modules.

As may further be used herein, a computer readable memory includes oneor more memory elements. A memory element may be a separate memorydevice, multiple memory devices, or a set of memory locations within amemory device. Such a memory device may be a read-only memory, randomaccess memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static memory,dynamic memory, flash memory, cache memory, and/or any device thatstores digital information. The memory device may be in a form asolid-state memory, a hard drive memory, cloud memory, thumb drive,server memory, computing device memory, and/or other physical medium forstoring digital information.

While particular combinations of various functions and features of theone or more embodiments have been expressly described herein, othercombinations of these features and functions are likewise possible. Thepresent disclosure is not limited by the particular examples disclosedherein and expressly incorporates these other combinations.

What is claimed is:
 1. An automation system comprising: a plurality oftransducers configured to monitor a plurality of analog featuresassociated with the automation system, a plurality of drive-sensecircuits operably coupled to the plurality of transducers, wherein, whenenabled, a drive-sense circuit of the plurality of drive-sense circuitsis configured to: drive and sense a transducer of the plurality oftransducers via a single line; generate a digital signal representativeof a sensed analog feature to which the transducer of the plurality oftransducers is exposed; and transmit the digital signal to a computingdevice; the computing device, when enabled, is configured to: receivedigital signals from at least some of the plurality of drive-sensecircuits; and process the digital signals in accordance with anautomation process to produce an automated process command; and anautomated apparatus, when enabled, configured to execute a portion of anautomated process based on the automated process command.
 2. Theautomation system of claim 1, wherein: the automation process includinga plurality of sub-processes; and further comprising: a first transducernetwork includes a first subset of the plurality of transducersconfigured to monitor a first plurality of sensed analog featuresincluding the sensed analog feature associated with a first sub-process;and a second transducer network includes a second subset of theplurality of transducers configured to monitor a second plurality ofsensed analog features associated with a second sub-process.
 3. Theautomation system of claim 1 further comprising: another plurality oftransducers configured to monitor another plurality of analog featuresassociated with the automation system, another plurality of drive-sensecircuits operably coupled to the plurality of transducers, wherein, whenenabled, another drive-sense circuit of the another plurality ofdrive-sense circuits is configured to: drive and sense anothertransducer of the another plurality of transducers via another singleline; generate another digital signal representative of another sensedanalog feature to which the another transducer of the plurality ofanother transducers is exposed; and transmit the another digital signalto another computing device; the another computing device, when enabled,is further configured to: receive other digital signals from at leastsome of the another plurality of drive-sense circuits operably coupledto the another plurality of transducers; and process the other digitalsignals in accordance with the automation process to produce anotherautomated process command; and the automated apparatus, when enabled, isfurther configured to execute another portion of the automated processbased on another automated process command that is received from anothercomputing device.
 4. The automation system of claim 3, wherein thecomputing device and the automated apparatus in communication via anetwork that includes at least one of a wireless communication system, acellular communication system, a wire lined communication system, anon-public intranet system, a public internet system, a local areanetwork (LAN), or a wide area network (WAN).
 5. The automation system ofclaim 1, wherein the drive-sense circuit of the plurality of drive-sensecircuits further comprises: a power source circuit operably coupled tothe transducer of the plurality of transducers via the single line,wherein, when enabled, the power source circuit is configured to providean analog signal via the single line coupling to the transducer of theplurality of transducers, and wherein the analog signal includes atleast one of a DC (direct current) component and an oscillatingcomponent; and a power source change detection circuit operably coupledto the power source circuit, wherein, when enabled, the power sourcechange detection circuit is configured to: detect an effect on theanalog signal that is based on an electrical characteristic of thetransducer of the plurality of transducers; and generate the digitalsignal representative of the sensed analog feature to which thetransducer is exposed based on the effect on the analog signal.
 6. Theautomation system of claim 5 further comprising: the power sourcecircuit including a power source to source at least one of a voltage ora current to the transducer of the plurality of transducers via thesingle line; and the power source change detection circuit including: apower source reference circuit configured to provide at least one of avoltage reference or a current reference; and a comparator configured tocompare the at least one of the voltage and the current provided to thetransducer of the plurality of transducers to the at least one of thevoltage reference and the current reference to produce the analogsignal.
 7. The automation system of claim 1, wherein at least one of theplurality of analog features comprising: environmental pressure;environmental temperature; environmental humidity; componenttemperature; distance between two components; position of a firstcomponent in relation a second component; contact pressure between thefirst component and the second component; rotational speed of a rotatingequipment; or torque of the rotating equipment.
 8. The automation systemof claim 1, wherein the automation process corresponding to one or moreof: an assembling process; a manufacturing process; a heating,ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) process; a security system process;and a metering process.
 9. An automation system comprising: a firstplurality of transducers configured to monitor a first plurality ofanalog features associated with the automation system, a first pluralityof drive-sense circuits operably coupled to the first plurality oftransducers, wherein, when enabled, a first drive-sense circuit of thefirst plurality of drive-sense circuits is configured to: drive andsense a first transducer of the first plurality of transducers via afirst single line; generate a first digital signal representative of afirst sensed analog feature to which the transducer is exposed; andtransmit the first digital signal to a first computing device; the firstcomputing device, when enabled, is configured to: receive first digitalsignals from at least some of the first plurality of drive-sensecircuits; and process the first digital signals in accordance with anautomation process to produce a first automated process command; and asecond plurality of transducers configured to monitor a second pluralityof analog features associated with the automation system, a secondplurality of drive-sense circuits operably coupled to the secondplurality of transducers, wherein, when enabled, a first drive-sensecircuit of the second plurality of drive-sense circuits is configuredto: drive and sense a first transducer of the second plurality oftransducers via a second single line; generate a second digital signalrepresentative of a second sensed analog feature to which the firsttransducer of the second plurality of transducers is exposed; andtransmit the second digital signal to a second computing device; thesecond computing device, when enabled, is configured to: receive seconddigital signals from at least some of the second plurality ofdrive-sense circuits; and process the second digital signals inaccordance with the automation process to produce a second automatedprocess command; and an automated apparatus, when enabled, configuredto: execute a first portion of an automated process based on the firstautomated process command; and execute a second portion of the automatedprocess based on the second automated process command.
 10. Theautomation system of claim 9, wherein: the automation process includinga plurality of sub-processes; and further comprising: a first transducernetwork includes the first plurality of transducers configured tomonitor a first plurality of sensed analog features including the firstsensed analog feature associated with a first sub-process; and a secondtransducer network includes the second plurality of transducersconfigured to monitor a second plurality of sensed analog featuresincluding the second sensed analog feature associated with a secondsub-process.
 11. The automation system of claim 9, wherein the firstcomputing device, the second computing device, and the automatedapparatus in communication via a network that includes at least one of awireless communication system, a cellular communication system, a wirelined communication system, a non-public intranet system, a publicinternet system, a local area network (LAN), or a wide area network(WAN).
 12. The automation system of claim 9, wherein the firstdrive-sense circuit of the first plurality of drive-sense circuitsfurther comprises: a power source circuit operably coupled to the firsttransducer of the first plurality of transducers via the first singleline, wherein, when enabled, the power source circuit is configured toprovide an analog signal via the first single line coupling to the firsttransducer of the first plurality of transducers, and wherein the analogsignal includes at least one of a DC (direct current) component and anoscillating component; and a power source change detection circuitoperably coupled to the power source circuit, wherein, when enabled, thepower source change detection circuit is configured to: detect an effecton the analog signal that is based on an electrical characteristic ofthe first transducer of the first plurality of transducers; and generatethe first digital signal representative of the first sensed analogfeature to which the first transducer is exposed based on the effect onthe analog signal.
 13. The automation system of claim 12 furthercomprising: the power source circuit including a power source to sourceat least one of a voltage or a current to the first transducer of thefirst plurality of transducers via the first single line; and the powersource change detection circuit including: a power source referencecircuit configured to provide at least one of a voltage reference or acurrent reference; and a comparator configured to compare the at leastone of the voltage and the current provided to the first transducer ofthe first plurality of transducers to the at least one of the voltagereference and the current reference to produce the analog signal.
 14. Amethod for execution by automation system, the method comprising:monitoring a plurality of analog features associated with the automationsystem via a plurality of transducers operably coupled to a plurality ofdrive-sense circuits; operating a drive-sense circuit of the pluralityof drive-sense circuits to: drive and sense a transducer of theplurality of transducers via a single line; generate a digital signalrepresentative of a sensed analog feature to which the transducer of theplurality of transducers is exposed; transmit the digital signal to acomputing device; operating the computing device to: receive digitalsignals from at least some of the plurality of drive-sense circuits; andprocess the digital signals in accordance with an automation process toproduce an automated process command; and executing, by an automatedapparatus, a portion of an automated process based on the automatedprocess command.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein: the automationprocess including a plurality of sub-processes; and further comprising:monitoring a first plurality of sensed analog features including thesensed analog feature associated with a first sub-process based on afirst transducer network that includes a first subset of the pluralityof transducers; and monitoring a second plurality of sensed analogfeatures associated with a second sub-process based on a secondtransducer network includes a second subset of the plurality oftransducers.
 16. The method of claim 14 further comprising: monitoringanother plurality of analog features associated with the automationsystem via another plurality of transducers operably coupled to anotherplurality of drive-sense circuits; operating another drive-sense circuitof the another plurality of drive-sense circuits to: drive and senseanother transducer of the another plurality of transducers via anothersingle line; generate another digital signal representative of anothersensed analog feature to which the another transducer of the anotherplurality of transducers is exposed; transmit the another digital signalto another computing device; operating the another computing device to:receive other digital signals from at least some of the anotherplurality of drive-sense circuits; and process the other digital signalsin accordance with the automation process to produce another automatedprocess command; and executing, by the automated apparatus, anotherportion of the automated process based on the another automated processcommand.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the computing device andthe automated apparatus in communication via a network that includes atleast one of a wireless communication system, a wire lined communicationsystem, a non-public intranet system, a public internet system, a localarea network (LAN), or a wide area network (WAN).
 18. The method ofclaim 14, wherein the drive-sense circuit of the plurality ofdrive-sense circuits further comprises: a power source circuit operablycoupled to the transducer of the plurality of transducers via the singleline, wherein, when enabled, the power source circuit is configured toprovide an analog signal via the single line coupling to the transducerof the plurality of transducers, and wherein the analog signal includesat least one of a DC (direct current) component and an oscillatingcomponent; and a power source change detection circuit operably coupledto the power source circuit, wherein, when enabled, the power sourcechange detection circuit is configured to: detect an effect on theanalog signal that is based on an electrical characteristic of thetransducer of the plurality of transducers; and generate the digitalsignal representative of the sensed analog feature to which thetransducer is exposed based on the effect on the analog signal.
 19. Themethod of claim 18 further comprising: the power source circuitincluding a power source to source at least one of a voltage or acurrent to the transducer of the plurality of transducers via the singleline; and the power source change detection circuit including: a powersource reference circuit configured to provide at least one of a voltagereference or a current reference; and a comparator configured to comparethe at least one of the voltage and the current provided to thetransducer of the plurality of transducers to the at least one of thevoltage reference and the current reference to produce the analogsignal.
 20. The method of claim 14, wherein at least one of: at leastone of the plurality of analog features comprising: environmentalpressure; environmental temperature; environmental humidity; componenttemperature; distance between two components; position of a firstcomponent in relation a second component; contact pressure between thefirst component and the second component; rotational speed of a rotatingequipment; or torque of the rotating equipment; or the automationprocess corresponding to one or more of: an assembling process; amanufacturing process; a heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC)process; a security system process; and a metering process.